How to tell they're ready to lay eggs?

How red are the hen's combs & wattles?  A sign that they might be getting ready is REALLY BRIGHT RED combs & wattles as well as FULLNESS of them.  Also, if you have a roo in your flock, if you've noticed mating going on, then that's a sign that they're all maturing for sure.

I have 2 groups of chickens - the first group is 5 mos old (22+wks old) and the second group is 4 mos old (18+wks old) & I've not gotten an egg yet.  I really don't expect to see eggs for another month or two from either group especially since the weather has cooled down here and less daylight too.  I've gone ahead & started to feed my chickens the layer feed & give them oyster shell to ensure that they have a good amt of calcium in them prior to laying.

Many forum members say that chickens don't start laying until they are 6-8+ mos old - just keep .

I would start feeding them layer feed right away.  It will give them all the nutrients they need to produce eggs.  As for being able to tell when, one thing I noticed with mine is that there combs and waddles start turning very red rather than pink, and they become more developed.  They will also start checking out the nesting box.  I had mine for several weeks before they even stepped foot in nesting box.  A few days after I noticed the wood shaving bowled, I got my first egg.

Hope this helps.  Be patient and you will be rewarded with "yummy eggs" as my three year old says.

TaLani is right about the wattles and comb but other indicators are that they will be more vocal and they will squat when you reach to pet them or be checking out the nest boxes with great interest.

I am playing the waiting game too!  I have one BR that has within the past fews got BLOOD-red wattles, comb and face.  She has also been talking to me non-stop when i come by her!
Will keep you posted!

The squat! We have the squat, too- and I started a thread about the vocal cacophany at our house, too...

Just doing our part to keep this otherwise normal neighborhood weird!!

I have 10 austrolopes that are 25 weeks old.  Four have been laying for the last 2 to 3 weeks.  When I chase them from the neighbor's yard the ones who are laying squat down.  Your first egg should be coming soon.

I waited on the red comb and waddle thing..over a month and not one egg.  The tell tale sign for mine was the squatting.  Within 2 days we had an egg.

Update.  Mine started laying 11/9 and as of last night...I have 7 eggs!