When do chickens start laying eggs?

Switch pullets from grower feed (16–18% protein) to layer feed (16% protein with 3.5–4.5% calcium) at 18 weeks or when the first egg appears, whichever comes first. Proper nutrition during the 14–20 week growth period is critical — underfed or malnourished pullets delay laying and may never reach…

Most standard chicken breeds begin laying between 18 and 24 weeks (4.5 to 6 months) of age. The first eggs are typically small — sometimes called "pullet eggs" — and may have irregular shapes, soft shells, or double yolks as the reproductive system calibrates. Egg size gradually increases over the…

Different breeds reach sexual maturity at very different ages. Production hybrids like Golden Comets and ISA Browns can start as early as 16 weeks. Leghorns typically begin at 17–18 weeks. Dual-purpose breeds like Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds start at 20–22 weeks. Heavy breeds like Brahmas,…

Hens need approximately 14–16 hours of light per day to lay consistently. Light stimulates the pineal gland and pituitary gland to release hormones that trigger ovulation. Pullets that reach maturity during fall or winter when daylight drops below 12 hours may delay their first egg until spring,…

Keep the flock environment calm, consistent, and healthy during the 16–24 week maturation period. Stress from predator attacks, sudden flock changes, extreme temperatures, illness, parasites, or relocation can delay the onset of laying by weeks or even months. Hens that have recently been shipped…

Look for visible physical changes that indicate a hen is about to start laying. The comb and wattles become larger, brighter red, and waxy-looking as estrogen levels rise. The pelvic bones (felt just above the vent) widen to about two finger-widths apart. The hen may begin squatting submissively…