The process of forming and laying eggs takes a lot of energy! So, you may notice your maturing chickens begin to eat more than usual. So, before your young chickens start laying eggs, they may become increasingly talkative too.Īs a young hen gears up to start laying eggs, her body will go through numerous changes – inside and out. Our chickens sing and squawk for hours before and after they lay an egg. Have you heard a chicken “egg song” yet? I find it funny that crowing roosters are banned in many urban areas, because hens can be damn vocal too! (Though I’ve read there is something more jarring and irritating about the tone of a rooster crow than hen songs to most people). Here she is starting to explore the nesting boxes and take interest in the other eggs. Hennifer, an Easter Egger, was the last girl to start laying of the others her same age. As her hormones shift and she gets ready to start laying eggs, her combs, wattles, and face will change from light pink to brighter red in color. If this happens very early on (under 8 weeks old) it could be a sign that the chicken is a young rooster! On the other hand, young female chickens develop their combs and wattles more slowly. Their bodies know best, and need a natural break.ĥ SIGNS A CHICKEN WILL START LAYING EGGS SOONĪs a young chicken matures, their combs and/or wattles become increasingly large. Please note that we don’t suggest lighting the coop to “force” chickens to continue to lay eggs through winter. However, it isn’t uncommon for young chickens to continue laying eggs right through their first winter! Then, they’ll probably take a break the following winter after that.Ĭurious to learn more about caring for chickens in cold weather, including tips for winterizing their coop? Check out this article all about winter chicken care. During a winter cessation of laying, you’ll also notice the chicken’s combs and wattles become smaller and pale again, swinging with their hormones. Yet if you happen to get your chicks later in the year (summer or fall) and they come into maturity during darker, colder days of fall or winter, they may wait until the following spring to start laying eggs! Reduced daylight hours in the wintertime usually signals mature hens to take a natural break from laying eggs, conserving their energy and nutrients to brace for the cold winter ahead. The majority of young chickens will start laying eggs the first year that you have them. See our “Top 18 Backyard Chicken Breeds” article to learn more about different breeds, including heat and cold-hardiness, general demeanor, egg color and laying frequency.

Our Easter Egger ladies are always last to add their colorful eggs to the basket, which is a known trait for their breed. On the other hand, heavier breeds like Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks are known to take a bit longer. Certain breeds of chickens are known to start laying eggs earlier than others, and each breed has their own average age range for egg development.Ĭhickens that have historically been bred for the purpose of egg production often start laying eggs sooner (as early as 17 or 18 weeks old), including Leghorns, Golden Comets, Sex Links, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps. In addition to age, the particular breed of your chickens will also influence when eggs start to arrive. Some of our girls when they were sweet 16 (weeks) – and still looking too young to start laying eggs quite yet! Some chickens may start laying eggs as early as 16 to 18 weeks old, while others may take upwards of 28 to 32 weeks (closer to 8 months old)! Over the years, we have had some extra-early overachievers along with our fair share of late bloomers, but found that around 20 to 22 weeks was the most common age for our chickens to start laying eggs. On average, young female chickens start laying eggs or “come into lay” around 6 months of age. What age do chickens usually start laying eggs? Be sure to check out the video of Phoebe laying an egg at the end of this post! Keep in mind that every chicken is different, and there is nothing you can do to rush them to grow up – so just be patient and enjoy the teenage years while they last. We’ll talk about the average age that chickens start to lay eggs, how breed plays a role, and a few tell-tale signs that eggs are on the way. If you’re wondering when your chickens will start laying eggs, read along to learn the signs that signal eggs are on the way. and I don’t blame you! Home-raised backyard chicken eggs can’t be beat. Do you have young spring chickens at home? If so, I bet you’re eagerly waiting for those fresh eggs to arrive….

Golden comet chickens