First egg guide
When do chickens start laying eggs?
Most pullets start near five to six months old, not on an exact birthday. Prepare the nest boxes before that window and judge readiness by age, behavior, season, and condition together.
Quick answer
- Expect many laying breeds to start around 18–24 weeks, with roughly 20 weeks a common benchmark.
- Breed, daylight, nutrition, health, and season can move the date.
- Do not feed high-calcium layer ration to young growing chicks.
- Install clean, inviting nest boxes before the first egg.
The practical range
The University of Minnesota says pullets begin laying at about 20 weeks, while its egg guide describes the start as around six months. Penn State describes started pullets as roughly 18 to 22 weeks and ready to lay. Taken together, 18 to 24 weeks is a useful planning window—not a promise for every bird.
Before 18 weeks
Usually still growing. Keep the age-appropriate grower diet and prepare the coop.
18–24 weeks
Common first-egg window for many laying breeds and hybrids.
After 24 weeks
Can still be normal for slower breeds or birds reaching maturity during short days; review condition and management.
Signs the first egg is getting close
- The comb and wattles become larger and more colorful.
- The pullet investigates darker, secluded nest areas.
- She may become restless and move in and out of a nest before laying.
- Body size and condition look mature for her breed or strain.
Behavior is a clue, not a diagnostic test. Poultry Extension describes nest searching and pre-laying restlessness as normal behavior, but individual birds vary.
Prepare before she lays
- 1Put nest boxes in a quiet, accessible part of the coop before the expected laying window.
- 2Use clean, dry bedding and block favorite floor corners if birds begin practicing there.
- 3Keep chicks and growing pullets on their correctly labeled ration; transition to layer feed when laying begins according to feed and extension guidance.
- 4Provide continuous clean water and minimize sudden changes to housing or flock routine.
- 5Check boxes more than once daily when first eggs are expected so you notice shell quality and laying location.
Use the nesting box guide if you are deciding between a washable conventional box and a roll-away design.
Frequently asked questions
When do Buff Orpingtons start laying eggs?
Should pullets eat layer feed before they lay?
Are the first eggs always small?
Sources checked
Laying-age, feeding, and behavior claims were checked against current university-extension sources on August 7, 2026.