When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

Most hens start laying eggs at about 18 to 24 weeks old, or roughly 5 to 6 months. Fast-maturing breeds can start as early as 16 weeks, and large, slow-growing breeds such as Brahmas may take 7 months or more.

First egg age by breed

Breed	First eggs (about)
Barred Rock	16–20 weeks
Rhode Island Red	18–20 weeks
Wyandotte	18–20 weeks
Buff Orpington	20–24 weeks
Australorp	20–24 weeks
Ameraucana	20–24 weeks
Olive Egger	20–24 weeks
Lavender Orpington	22–24 weeks
Marans	24–26 weeks
Brahma	28–32 weeks

Signs a pullet is about to lay

• Her comb and wattles turn from pale pink to bright red and grow larger.
• She squats low when you reach down to pet her.
• She starts checking out the nest boxes and may sing a loud "egg song".
• She eats more and seems more curious.

When you see these signs, switch to organic layer feed and put out oyster shell. A fake egg or golf ball in each nest box helps show her where to lay.

How hatch season affects the first egg

Daylight matters as much as age. Chicks hatched from February through April usually start laying in late summer or early fall, while days are still long. Chicks hatched in summer may reach laying age as days get short, and some will wait until late winter or spring to start. If you want eggs this year, order early-season chicks. Our guide on when to order baby chicks has more on timing.

Want eggs sooner?

Started pullets are young hens that skip the brooder stage. They are already several months old, so first eggs come weeks sooner than with day-old chicks. Read day-old chicks vs started pullets to compare.

First eggs are small

A young hen's first eggs are often small, sometimes oddly shaped, and may come at uneven intervals. Within a few weeks, size and rhythm settle into her normal pattern.

Quick answers

Why hasn't my 6-month-old hen laid yet?

Short winter days, a slow-maturing breed, stress or a recent move can all delay the first egg. Most catch up when days lengthen.

Can I speed up laying?

Not much. Good feed, plenty of daylight and low stress help, but each pullet starts on her own schedule.

What should young hens eat before they lay?

Grower feed until about 18 weeks or the first egg, then layer feed with oyster shell on the side.

Getting chicks from Chesapeake

Fast starters such as Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds are good picks for eggs sooner. Shipped chicks travel by USPS Priority Mail to your local post office, and the post office calls you when they arrive. Free local pickup is available on many of our own breeds at 21084 Dover Bridge Rd, Preston, MD 21655. See chick shipping rates and times, read when to order baby chicks, or compare all of our chicken breeds.