When will they lay?

hotchicks77 · « **on:** September 27, 2010, 14:48 »

I bought 6 hens aged 16 weeks 5 weeks ago. At what age will they start laying, they are brown hybrids. Aslo they all seem to be sleeping in the nesting boxes and not on the perches( is this normal). Is saw dust and straw ok in the nesting boxes?

joyfull · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2010, 15:03 »

on average they start laying around 24 weeks but can be anything upto 35 weeks.
all bedding should be dust extracted so use dust extracted shavings, hemcore, rapport or similar. Get them perching by going to their coop when they are sleepy and lift them onto the perches, they do an awful lot of poohs over night and this could lead to infections if they are sleeping in it, plus you will get mucky eggs.

bantam novice · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2010, 15:15 »

Welcome to the Forum, hotchicks

Good Luck with your chicken keeping. It can become addictive

hotchicks77 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2010, 15:25 »

It is addictive,i dont know whos more interested me or my 3 yrs old daughter she loves them.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2010, 15:51 »

Hybrids are bred to start laying at 18 weeks. Pure breeds start later! But this lot of hybrids and our last lot are taking longer to start. The ones we have now are about 18 weeks, so could start anytime.

When will they lay?

hotchicks77

When will they lay?

joyfull

Re: When will they lay?

bantam novice

Re: When will they lay?

hotchicks77

Re: When will they lay?

GrannieAnnie

Re: When will they lay?