When will my chickens cluck and lay eggs?

[jimmychicken]

I am a newbie to keeping bantams, i have two, just babies at the mo.

How old do they need to be before they start clucking? mine just cheep

How old before they start laying eggs?

 

[foxy]

A while yet if they are cheeping..I would imagine not until early next year now

 

[jimmychicken]

Many thanks for the advice

 

[Marigold]

Egglaying usually starts between 20 and 28 weeks, with some variation for individuals either way. If yours are still very young and cheeping, they won't lay until next Spring in any case. Are you feeding them on growers pellets? This is best for them between about 8 and 18 weeks as its balanced for their needs as they grow and before they come into lay.

It's lovely, bringing on young birds, isn't it? What sort are yours? Can you post a pic?

 

[jimmychicken]

I have a Frizzle Pekin (Buff), it was sold to me as a hen, it probably is, but i just have this inkling it may be a boy.
I also have a Lavender Pekin.

Lovely looking birds although i don't know alot about hens, yet.

I will try and take some pics tomorrow.

 

[E3lx]

agree good advice above

 

[jimmychicken]

Some pics of my littles

 

[Sue]

Very pretty birds, how old are they?

 

[jimmychicken]

I think from what the Lady said they were born in July.

I picked them out, don't know anything about chickens but in my opinion i thought they looked like good ones, they wen't cheap, but they were kept in lovely conditions.

I bought them from Rosehill Hatcher, East Hanningfield, Nr Chelmsford, they were very knowledgeable and helpful, two sisters run it, i was impressed!

 

[Marigold]

They're gorgeous, you've got some good ones there Jimmy. I love the combination of colours and textures in their plumage. They do look about 10-12 weeks old i should think. From the photos it looks as if the roof of the coop will soon be a bit low for them, because at that age they've still got quite a lot of growing to do. Have you got a bigger/higher run/coop for them when (very soon!) they grow out of that one?

 

[jimmychicken]

They have a run at the front with a ladder that goes into there house, they are actually under the house in the pic, they went under there when i took the picture.

 

[Marigold]

That looks a really nice set-up, lucky birds. I expect you're just waiting for them to use that nice big nestbox!

 

[jimmychicken]

The nestbox is actually split into two, they snuggle up together in the one

 

[Marigold]

That's good because they'll keep each other warm when the weather returns to normal, and they're too young to be perching yet.