Ready to Lay?

[Kzdnae]

I have two pullets who are suppose to be over 22 weeks. One is a cream Legbar and one is an Olive egger. I’m pretty anxious for them to produce their first eggs! I’d like to know if, by appearance, they look like they are getting close or should I get ahold of some patience <3 thanx

 

[Polish Hen House]

They should be old enough to lay and they look ready, but with chickens you have to be patient. I have a 9 month old hen who hasn't layed one egg yet. So chickens lay when they are good and ready. I hope yours lay soon. They are really beautiful birds.

 

[aart]

they look like they are getting close or should I get ahold of some patience

Probably both
Do you free range?
...this could kill some time and possible offer a clue:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Kzdnae]

Probably both
Do you free range?
...this could kill some time and possible offer a clue:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

We do Supervised free ranging twice a day (mornings and evenings). I don’t have a fenced backyard and we have too many stray dogs in my neighborhood to allow them to be alone. Before I started doing the strict observation policy, I lost 4 pullets to dogs while I was inside for a minute changing a diaper etc. but I don’t put them back into the pin until they go themselves. So they forage as long as they want.

 

[Kzdnae]

I check and neither seem to have a squatting response or spreading hips. I guess I’ll have to just hunker down and wait!!!

 

[Birdsong 82]

The first one type of red sex link? They look at that point. I see some delicious eggs in your near future!

 

[WVduckchick]

I check and neither seem to have a squatting response or spreading hips. I guess I’ll have to just hunker down and wait!!!

Do you have roosters?

Probably both
Do you free range?
...this could kill some time and possible offer a clue:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Do you think hens lay earlier when they are being mated? I have 2 serama pullets that haven't laid yet, and my others have usually started by this point. But these 2 have never been around any of my boys. (they hatched in winter, were very small, so I kept them out of the pens)

 

[aart]

Do you think hens lay earlier when they are being mated? I have 2 serama pullets that haven't laid yet, and my others have usually started by this point. But these 2 have never been around any of my boys. (they hatched in winter, were very small, so I kept them out of the pens)

Huh, I have no idea, have always had males in residence. I suppose it's possible, but probably not probable, that attention from males could speed hormone production in females.

 

[WVduckchick]

Huh, I have no idea, have always had males in residence. I suppose it's possible, but probably not probable, that attention from males could speed hormone production in females.

I've never not had a rooster present either. This situation was just different, so I have not introduced them yet.

 

[Kzdnae]

Do you have roosters?

No, I do not. Just 5 ladies.