Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for answers? Our FAQs may answer many questions you may have including how to get started, providing the best care for your birds, and more.
Chicken Basics
What color eggs do they lay?
Egg color is dependent on breed type and proper nutrition. Check out our breed catalog for more information on breed and their egg colors.
How long until they start laying?
Most hens lay their first egg around 18 weeks of age, but this can vary based on breed and environment.
How many eggs do they lay per day/year?
High-producing and healthy hens can lay up to 250 eggs per year. This is because it takes over a day to create an egg. Hens tend to take a break from laying eggs each year to molt in late fall. This is due to limited daylight as each hen requires 16 hours of daylight to produce healthy eggs.
What will they look like when they are older?
Chicks appearance when they get older is dependent on their breed. Check out our breed catalog for more information on different breeds, their temperament, egg color, size and more.
When can I put them outside?
The common rule of thumb is to wait at least 3 months or wait until they are fully feathered.
What feed do I start them on?
A Complete Starter Feed is recommended for the first 18 weeks of your chick’s life. We recommend Purina Start and Grow or Flock Raiser which provides a balanced and complete formulated feed for the first 20 weeks of their life. For meat birds like Cornish Cross it is recommended to use Purina Meat Bird Crumble from day one until market weigh in.
When do I switch to layer feed?
At 18 weeks, you are cleared to switch to a complete layer feed. We recommend Purina’s Layena line of formulated feeds.