When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?

Most backyard chickens start laying eggs between 18 and 24 weeks of age. Some breeds lay earlier, some take longer, and the season, daylight, and how a pullet was raised all shift the timing. This guide walks through what to expect, the signs your pullet is close, and what helps her start laying steadily.

The typical 18 to 24 week window

For most common backyard breeds, the first egg shows up somewhere between 18 and 24 weeks. A few production breeds start a little earlier, and some heritage or heavy breeds wait longer. There is no exact day, only a range, and individual birds within the same flock often start weeks apart.

For more on what laying looks like once it starts, see our egg laying overview.

Breed examples

• Leghorn: 16 to 18 weeks. One of the earliest layers.
• Plymouth Rock: 18 to 20 weeks.
• Rhode Island Red: 18 to 20 weeks.
• Australorp: 18 to 22 weeks.
• Easter Egger: 20 to 24 weeks.
• Buff Orpington: 22 to 28 weeks.
• Wyandotte: 22 to 28 weeks.
• Brahma: 28 to 36 weeks. Heavy breeds mature slowly.
• Silkie: 24 to 36 weeks.

Looking for breeds that lay reliably and tolerate beginner mistakes? See our guide on best chickens for beginners.

Early and late layers

A pullet hatched in spring usually starts laying in late summer or early fall, which is the natural rhythm. A pullet hatched in late summer or fall may not start until the following spring, because short winter days suppress the start of laying. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Stress, illness, parasites, poor nutrition, or extreme heat can also delay the first egg. So can a switch to layer feed too early, or a switch to a high-protein grower feed at the wrong stage. See our feed guide by age for what to feed and when.

Signs a pullet is close to laying

• Reddening comb and wattles.A pullet’s pale comb usually deepens to a strong red two to three weeks before her first egg.
• Squatting.When you reach toward her, she may crouch and spread her wings. This is a hen’s laying-age response and a strong signal she is close.
• Investigating nest boxes. Sniffing around, scratching out the bedding, sitting and rearranging.
• Increased vocalizing. More clucking, sometimes an early egg song.
• Wider, softer pelvic gap. The two pelvic bones on either side of the vent spread apart enough to fit two or three fingers when she is laying.
• More appetite and time at the feeder. Egg production is hungry work.

What first eggs look like

The first eggs are usually small, sometimes oddly shaped, and occasionally have soft or thin shells. This is normal as her system calibrates. Within a few weeks, eggs will reach normal size, color, and shell quality for her breed.

You may also find a yolkless “fart egg” or a double-yolker early on. Both are common and harmless.

Helping them start well

• Switch to layer feed at the right time. Switch when you see the first egg, or right around 18 weeks for breeds that lay later. Layer feed has the calcium hens need for shell production.
• Offer free-choice oyster shell on the side. Hens self-regulate. Some need more calcium than what is in their feed.
• Set up clean nest boxes early. Soft bedding, one box per three to four hens, lower than the roosts. See our guide on what should be inside a chicken coop.
• Use ceramic or wooden eggs in the boxes. They help pullets understand where to lay.
• Keep the flock calm. Avoid moves, predator scares, and major flock changes during the first weeks of laying.
• Provide constant clean water. Even a brief shortage delays the first egg.

When she still is not laying

If a pullet is well past 24 weeks and still no eggs, check:

• Is it the right season? Pullets coming into age in fall or early winter often wait for spring daylight.
• Is she on layer feed with calcium, or still on grower or all-flock without oyster shell?
• Are the nest boxes clean, private, and free of bullies?
• Are eggs being eaten or hidden? Check overlooked corners of the run and coop.
• Is the pullet healthy? A pale comb, weight loss, or unusual droppings can point to parasites or illness.

Persistent delays past 30 to 36 weeks, especially with other symptoms, deserve a closer look from a qualified veterinarian.

FAQ

How can I tell if my pullet is about to lay?
A bright red comb, the squat response, and visiting the nest boxes together usually mean the first egg is days or a couple of weeks away.

Why is my hen taking longer than 24 weeks to lay?
Heavy breeds, fall and winter pullets, and birds raised on incorrect feed often start later. As long as she looks healthy, it is usually a timing issue, not a problem.

How many eggs will she lay once she starts?
Most hens lay four to six eggs a week at peak. See our guide on how many eggs a chicken lays a day for realistic numbers.

Do I need a rooster for hens to lay?
No. Hens lay just fine without a rooster. A rooster is only needed if you want fertile eggs.

Most hens start laying around 18 to 24 weeks, and the first eggs settle into normal size within a few weeks. If you want a clean, printable setup checklist for your first laying flock, the Chicken Homestead Checklist Bundle includes a new chicken owner setup list and a flock record sheet.