This is new to me.

phor61 · « **on:** June 28, 2008, 07:55 »

Morning all,
Thought i woud say 'hello' as i am new to this site.
We bought 2 chickens, named sexy sheila & dave darkly by my son, on fathers day as a present for my husband.
They have settled in very well & get on great with the dog & cats that we have.
Our chickens are 20 weeks old, can anyone tell me when they might start to lay eggs.
Thanks.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:08 »

Welcome phor61

If your chooks are egg laying hybrids they will probably start to lay in about a month to 6 weeks time.

Porffor · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:49 »

Welcome - I'm assuming Darkly Dave is a Girl then? :?:

My girls started getting ready before they laid. One lays every day the other one every other day.

Scarlet the daily layer started nesting.. I had put hay in the nest area and all of a sudden I found her sitting there getting her nest ready.

She still fixes it up now when it gets flat etc.

Just thought I'd mention it as it's a great way of knowing when they are getting ready.

It's exciting when they lay, but you'll be amazed how tiny the eggs are. They soon grow in size though.

Nats · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2008, 09:55 »

Welcome...

I agree with Aunt Sally and Porffor...you may have a bit of a wait!

Another thing to look out for is 'crouching'. About a week before they lay (in my limited experience and from what I've read!) if you go to touch them/pick them up from behind they will sort of squat down. Its an instinctive behaviour that they do when they're ready to be fertilised by a cockerel.

The first eggs won't be far away...

My first layer didn't make a fuss about her nest like Porffor's did, just as I've heard not all chickens 'crouch'! They're all individuals.

Enjoy them!

compostqueen · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2008, 11:52 »

they could start at 22 weeks so keep watching them for their crouching behaviour as it's a sure sign

henpecked · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2008, 12:37 »

I guess the answer is anytime! It will come as a complete surprise and you'll be so proud of your first little eggie...and even more so when you get your first whopper!

Mine were around 18/19 weeks when i got them and they started to lay a lot sooner than I expected (within about 2 weeks I think).