Point of lay

"Point of lay" (often shortened to POL) describes a young hen that is close to laying her first egg — usually somewhere between 16 and 22 weeks old. A hen this age is called a pullet until she has been laying for a full year, after which she's simply a hen. When a seller advertises birds as "POL", they mean the hard, slow part of rearing is behind you: the chicks have been raised, sexed, vaccinated and grown on, and you're collecting them right before the eggs start.

Why beginners start here

You can begin a flock at three points: day-old chicks, point-of-lay pullets, or older "ex-bat" or retired hens. Chicks need a heat lamp, careful feeding and weeks of attention, with no guarantee of how many turn out to be hens. Older hens may already be past their best laying years. Point of lay sits neatly in the middle — you skip the fragile early weeks, you know you're getting females, and you don't wait long for eggs. For a first-time keeper, it's the most forgiving and rewarding way to start.

What to expect once they're home

Don't be disappointed if eggs don't appear straight away. A new pullet needs a week or two to settle, and stress from the move can hold things up. The first eggs are often small, with thin or wrinkly shells, and may arrive at odd intervals before she finds her rhythm. This is completely normal and settles down within a few weeks as her system matures.

Give your new birds clean water, a good quality layers' pellet or mash, and a calm, draught-free coop. Settling in is also the moment to get on top of parasites: check under the wings and around the vent, and inspect the coop at dusk for red mite, which hide in cracks and can quickly knock a young hen's health and laying. A clean, dry house from day one saves a lot of trouble later.

Hybrids versus pure breeds

How soon and how much your pullets lay depends heavily on breed. Hybrids — such as the brown Warrens, Goldlines and other crosses sold by most UK suppliers — are bred for production and often come into lay earlier (around 16–18 weeks) and lay reliably, frequently topping 300 eggs a year. Pure breeds and "fancy" types tend to start later, lay fewer eggs and may pause more in winter, but they bring character, looks and broodiness. If a hen stops laying and sits tight in the nest box, she may have gone broody — common in some pure breeds and rare in hybrids.

For a fuller walk-through of housing, feeding and routines, see our guide to keeping chickens in your garden.