When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
As a new chicken owner you may be wondering when your hens will start laying eggs. The age that chickens begin laying depends on several factors including breed, diet, season, and overall health. On average, pullets (young hens) will start laying eggs between 16-24 weeks of age. However, some breeds may start a few weeks earlier or later.
Breed DifferencesThe breed of chicken plays a significant role in when they will begin egg production In general, smaller breeds that are bred specifically for egg-laying will mature and start laying sooner Larger dual-purpose breeds that are bred for both meat and eggs tend to start a few weeks later.
Here are some common breeds and their average age to begin laying:
- Rhode Island Reds: 16-18 weeks
- Leghorns: 16-18 weeks
- Australorps: 18-20 weeks
- Orpingtons: 20-24 weeks
- Plymouth Rocks: 20-24 weeks
- Easter Eggers: 20-24 weeks
- Silkies: 32+ weeks
As you can see, Silkies are a bit of an outlier, often not laying until 8 months or older. But most standard-sized breeds will start somewhere between 4-6 months on average.
Diet & Health
A proper diet with adequate nutrients is essential for chickens to reach sexual maturity and begin laying eggs. They need sufficient protein, calories, and calcium at this stage of development. Feed a high-quality layer feed once they reach 16-18 weeks to support egg production.
Supplementing feed with calcium-rich treats like oyster shell or layer crumbles will help too. And of course, your hens need constant access to clean water. Managing their overall health through regular checkups, vaccinations, and preventing disease will enable them to thrive.
Seasonal Effects
The amount of daylight also influences when chickens first lay eggs. Decreasing daylight in fall and winter months can delay the onset of laying. But once daylight hours lengthen in spring, it triggers their reproductive systems into gear.
If your pullets reach maturity during shorter winter days, they likely won’t start laying until the season changes in spring. The increased sunlight and warmer temps get them ready for egg-laying mode. Just be patient through the winter, and the eggs will come!
Signs Your Hen is Ready
Look for these clues that your pullet is nearing the point of lay:
- Enlarged, bright red comb and wattles
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain and wider hips
- Actively checking out nest boxes
- Loud vocalizations and “egg songs”
- Submissive squatting posture
Once you notice a few of these signs, you can expect the first eggs to appear within 2-4 weeks! Make sure to provide clean, comfortable nest box bedding at this stage to encourage laying in the right spot.
Be Patient!
While the waiting game for that first egg can feel long, it will be worth it. Let your pullets mature at their own pace, and they’ll reward you with bountiful eggs for years to come. With proper care and a little patience, you’ll be gathering eggs in no time.
Do hens lay eggs in the winter?
The hen’s ovulation is stimulated by the length of the day. Maximum egg production is reached during summer days with 16 hours of daylight. Egg production may continue during the spring, fall, and winter when artificial light is supplemented to provide 14 -16 hours of light. Using a timer and a 60-watt incandescent bulb, add light to the morning and late afternoon but allow hens to naturally roost in the evenings with the setting sun.
Lifespan of a hen
Hens may live in backyard flocks for 6-8 years, and most flocks will produce eggs for 3-4 years. The level of egg production, egg size, and shell quality decrease each year. Most commercial layers are kept for 2-3 years as their egg production decreases after this time. To keep a small flock producing, owners should plan to retire old hens and add young hens (pullets) every 2-3 years.
When and What Age Do Chickens Start To Lay Eggs
FAQ
How do you know when your chickens are ready to lay eggs?
A chicken’s readiness to lay eggs can be gauged by observing physical changes and behaviors. A hen’s comb and wattles will become larger and redder as she approaches laying age.
What age do backyard chickens start laying eggs?
D. Consistent egg production is a sign of happy, healthy hens. Most hens will lay their first egg around 18 weeks of age and then lay an egg almost daily thereafter. In their first year, you can expect up to 250 eggs from high-producing, well-fed backyard chickens.
How old are chickens when they start lying?
A chicken typically starts laying eggs around 18 weeks. But it is important to understand that time is a crucial factor. A hen will not produce eggs until she feels ready. This question is also variable based on how you are getting your chickens.
What age do chickens start laying eggs?
What age do chickens start to lay eggs? The average age that a young female chicken starts to lay an egg is around 6 months of age (or around 24 weeks of age). Some chicken breeds start laying around 18 weeks of age, but the average hen doesn’t start start laying until around the 24 week mark.
When do day-old chicks start laying eggs?
This is easy enough to determine if you purchased day-old chicks from a hatchery. Most chickens start laying eggs between 18-22 weeks, around four to six months old. My sweetie installed a ‘Chicken Cam’ in the coop, which meant we got to watch my little Purl lay her first egg. Of course, this number varies quite from one breed to another.
When do Hens start laying eggs?
Most hens start laying eggs between 5-7 months of age, but after their second year, the egg production will gradually decrease. However, this can vary greatly depending on breed, nutrition, and overall care.
How long do chickens lay eggs?
Typically, healthy chickens can live up to 8 and 10 years. When it comes to egg-laying chickens, they can lay eggs until they are 7 years old. Some stop laying eggs at age five, but this depends on the breed of the hen. As the chicken ages, the egg-laying frequency decreases mainly because of aging.
When do Delaware chickens start laying eggs?
Delaware chickens usually begin laying eggs between 18 and 20 weeks. They are dual-purpose birds, good for both meat and egg production. Their eggs are medium to large and light brown in color. When Do Bantam Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
When should you start laying chickens?
Managing Premature Laying: Make sure your chickens are old enough to start laying, usually around 5-6 months. If they’re laying too early, you can reduce the light they get or adjust their food to slow things down. Also, avoid adding young chickens to the group too soon, as this can encourage early laying.