Most hens start laying eggs between 18–22 weeks old — but breed, daylight, stress, and even the time of year can all influence the timing.
If you’re a new chicken keeper waiting for that first egg, you’re not alone. This guide walks you through the milestones, signs, and strategies to help your hens get laying — with clear answers for UK-based keepers.
If you are still deciding which hens to get, I’ve produced a Chicken Selector tool.
What Age Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
Most hens begin laying between 16 and 24 weeks old. Hybrids typically start earlier (18–20 weeks), while heritage breeds may take longer.
Average Start Age by Breed Type
| Breed Type | Breed Example | Start Age | Egg Output (1st Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | ISA Brown, Lohmann | 17–20 wks | 280–320 eggs |
| Heritage (large) | Sussex, Marans | 20–26 wks | 180–240 eggs |
| Bantam | Silkie, Pekin | 24–28+ wks | 100–160 eggs |
The term “point of lay” refers to when a hen is expected to begin laying. Just like humans, chickens develop at different rates. Commercial egg farms use artificial lighting and tailored diets to stimulate early laying, but in a natural backyard setup, hens follow a more gradual, seasonal path.
If you’re sourcing hens from a breeder or smallholding, it’s worth asking about their typical start age. Some lines are selected for looks or temperament rather than egg performance. And even with the same breed, different strains may begin laying at slightly different times.
Chickens also need nesting boxes before they begin laying. Ideally, these should be set up by 16–18 weeks so hens can investigate and get comfortable.
For an in-depth reference on laying maturity, check out this guide from Poultry Keeper — a trusted UK source.
You can also browse the Practical Poultry Forum archives to see real-world examples from hobby keepers across the UK.
How to Spot When Laying is Close
As hens approach laying maturity, subtle changes will begin to appear. These include:
- Bright red, full comb and wattles
- Squatting behaviour when approached — a signal of submission
- Increased time spent exploring nest boxes or coop corners
- More noise, clucking, and pacing
These changes may begin a week or two before the first egg. Expect the first few eggs to be small or oddly shaped. Some may even be shell-less.
Also keep an eye out for any eggs laid in odd places — behind flower pots, under shrubs, or even on the coop floor. It can take a little while for pullets to get the hang of using the nesting box.
Don’t be surprised if a hen lays just one egg and then pauses for a few days. It’s common for early laying to be sporadic as their systems calibrate.
Timing Matters: Season and Daylight
In the UK, the time of year a pullet matures makes a huge difference to when she’ll start laying:
- Spring pullets (hatched Feb–Apr): Likely to begin laying in July–Sept
- Summer pullets (May–July): May wait until early spring the following year
- Autumn pullets: Rarely lay until February or March unless kept under lights
Hens need about 14 hours of daylight to lay consistently. If a young bird reaches maturity in October or November, it’s normal for her body to pause development until light levels improve.
Some backyard keepers opt to add a small LED bulb on a timer in the coop to extend day length gently — usually turning on around 6am and off at dusk. This can help stimulate winter laying but should be used consistently and cautiously.
The RSPCA Assured welfare guidelines cover recommended lighting and housing conditions for laying hens — useful even in small backyard setups.
That said, allowing hens to rest over winter can improve long-term health and productivity. There’s no shame in following the seasons.
How Breed Affects Laying Start
Not all breeds are built the same when it comes to egg laying. Here’s a closer look:
- Hybrids like the ISA Brown are designed for productivity. They’re early starters and prolific layers, ideal for families needing reliable egg numbers.
- Heritage breeds like the Sussex or Marans, such as the Copper Maran, often start a bit later but tend to be more resilient and longer-lived.
- Bantams, due to their small size and slower growth, often start later and lay fewer eggs overall. However, they are friendly, ornamental, and suitable for urban or small garden setups.
Adding variety to your flock doesn’t just improve the aesthetic — it also helps create a staggered laying calendar, reducing gaps in supply.
If you’re hoping to collect eggs in a specific colour (e.g. blue, green, chocolate brown), breed choice will also play a major role.
Reasons Laying Might Be Delayed
If your pullet is healthy but not yet laying, here are some common reasons why:
- Inadequate daylight hours or no access to outdoor space
- Stress from flock introductions, predator scares, or loud environments
- Poor nutrition — ensure a complete layer feed is available from week 16
- External parasites like red mites, which can make hens feel unwell and stressed
- Natural delays due to late maturity or individual temperament
Some breeds also go through a juvenile moult around the same time they approach maturity, which can momentarily stall laying.
It’s also worth noting that signs of illness or imbalance, such as diarrhoea, fluffed feathers, or dull behaviour, should always be investigated promptly.
Keep an eye on weight and appetite too. A bird that’s underweight or lacking access to feed may take longer to lay.
For health-related concerns, the British Hen Welfare Trust has helpful, vet-reviewed resources.
You can also read PDSA’s beginner chicken care guide for additional welfare and setup tips.
Can You Eat the First Egg a Hen Lays?
Yes — the first egg is safe to eat, although it may be small, irregularly shaped, or have a soft shell. These early eggs can look a bit odd, but they’re perfectly safe. Some keepers even keep them in the fridge as a milestone!
If your first egg is shell-less, don’t panic. It usually means the hen’s calcium metabolism is still adjusting.
Helping Your Hens Lay Confidently
Creating the right conditions makes all the difference. Here’s how to support a healthy start:
- Feed a balanced layer pellet or mash with the correct protein and calcium ratio
- Provide mixed poultry grit or crushed oyster shell to support strong shells
- Ensure clean, dry nest boxes with soft bedding
- Minimise disturbances and avoid rearranging coop layout
- Remove potential stressors — barking dogs, overcrowding, or aggressive birds
Adding a few fake eggs to the nesting boxes can encourage hens to lay there. They act as a visual cue and help establish good habits early.
Also make sure hens aren’t being bullied away from food or shelter by dominant flock members. Setting up two separate feeding stations can help if pecking order issues arise.
Want science-backed tips on diet? See this breakdown from Purinamills.
Tips for First-Time Keepers
It’s easy to become impatient while waiting for those first eggs. But trust the process.
If you’re new to keeping chickens, consider creating a small tracking sheet with the name, breed, hatch date, and key milestones of each bird. It’s a great way to keep perspective.
Make the experience a family affair. If you have children, involve them in daily feeding and observation. Mark the calendar for “first egg day” and celebrate it — it’s a milestone for both hen and keeper.
You might also want to keep a note of nesting behaviour, sounds, and coop visits — this data can help troubleshoot later on if egg count dips.
Many new keepers find that once one hen starts laying, the others follow within a week or two. It’s like a signal goes out across the flock.
Getting the right size of Coop is important to reduce stress on hens, try our Chicken Coop Size Calculator to find the right coop size for your flock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know when my chickens are ready to start laying eggs?
Watch for signs like reddening combs and wattles, squatting behaviour, and an interest in nesting boxes. These usually appear a week or two before the first egg.
Can you eat the first egg a hen lays?
Yes. While the first egg may be smaller or oddly shaped, it’s safe to eat — just be sure it has a proper shell and is collected promptly.
Why are my 20-week-old chickens not laying?
Delays can happen due to breed maturity differences, lack of daylight, stress, illness, or insufficient nutrition. If all else looks fine, be patient — some hens take a bit longer.
At what age do chickens need nesting boxes?
Provide nesting boxes by 16–18 weeks of age so they have time to explore and settle before laying starts.
When do chickens stop laying eggs?
Most hens start to decline in productivity after 2–3 years, though some continue laying (less frequently) up to age 6 or beyond.
When do chickens start laying eggs by breed?
Hybrid hens often start at 17–19 weeks; heritage breeds like Marans or Orpingtons may not start until 22–26 weeks. Bantams can be later still.
Do chickens lay eggs in winter?
Only if they get enough daylight (14+ hours). Many will naturally pause over winter unless provided with artificial lighting.
Next Read: