Official BYC Poll: When Did Your Hen/s Begin Laying Eggs?

[BYC Project Manager]

The question of "When will my hen/s start laying?" comes up frequently on the forum. There are so many factors to consider, such as breed, diet, etc. As a result, we would like you to share your experiences about what to expect from the different breeds and when.

We'd like you to place your vote above by telling us the age at which your hen/s started laying eggs and to reply to the thread with what breed/s they are.

Further Reading:

• Why are my hens not laying?
• Egg production and how to get the most from your laying hens
• Interesting Facts About Chicken Eggs

(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

 

[Sally PB]

My first chicks (Black Australorps) began laying at 19 and 20 weeks. My second batch (Blue Jersey Giants) started at 24 and 25 weeks, except for the freeloader (Jubilee Orpington) who is at 36 weeks and counting!

 

[-Flash-]

Wouldn't have a clue!

 

[Iluveggers]

First two laid at 22 weeks right after winter solstice! All the rest have started since then, except we are waiting on one of our Easter Eggers, it will be 30 weeks this week.

 

[the_peanut_coop]

My very first chicken, a jersey giant, began laying before 18 weeks, and the other chickens started from 18-20.

 

[RubelliteRose]

My chickens are all over the place

Easter Eggers at at 21 and 27 weeks
Dominiques at 20 and 21 weeks
Sapphire Splash at 21 weeks
Olive Eggers at 19,23,25 and 26 weeks
McMurrary Ameracuanas at 24 and 29 weeks
Silver Leghorn at 25 weeks
Speckled Sussex at 32 weeks
Black Copper Marans at 23 weeks

 

[K0k0shka]

All of mine have started at over 30 weeks old. I have DSL Barnevelders and English Orpingtons of assorted colors. The second generation of Orps are 10 months old now and still no eggs! The others stopped really early for molt/winter, too, and rested for half a year. Not the most productive chickens, but they are pets and make up for it with personality and cuddliness, so it all works out.

 

[klb25]

Both my black breasted red phoenix started a week ago at 36 weeks.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

This will be a good one for someone to figure out. Everyone ready. Our girls started laying on the first of the December with little eggs. They laid three times in December. Then quit laying. January 0 eggs. February they started laying again and is still laying and that includes the two golden laced Wyandottes we picked up in September of last year. Question is why? would they start and then stop in December. Nothing changed only it was windy, cold and rainy.

 

[Solanacae]

This will be a good one for someone to figure out. Everyone ready. Our girls started laying on the first of the December with little eggs. They laid three times in December. Then quit laying. January 0 eggs. February they started laying again and is still laying and that includes the two golden laced Wyandottes we picked up in September of last year. Question is why? would they start and then stop in December. Nothing changed only it was windy, cold and rainy.

I’ve had a pullet start and stop on me twice now. She laid two eggs in early October, stopped for three weeks, laid steadily through November and December, then stopped again in January and has yet to start laying again. I have no idea why she stopped in the fall, but it got considerably colder at the end of December and through January and one of my older hens also stopped laying during one particularly bad cold spell. It takes a lot of energy to create eggs, and if they’re working hard to stay warm, they may not have the energy to lay eggs on top of that.
Older hens, of course will likely take a break in the fall/winter when they molt and when daylight is short. And it’s not a guarantee that pullets will lay through the winter, as you have learned.