15wk old will be laying soon?

[Lor]

The wyandottes are 15 weeks old. One of them has her red comb and wattles. Last few days she has squatted when I walked by. Does this mean she will be laying soon? Or possible we still have many weeks left?
I want to keep an eye out in case the older hens don't let her in the nest box. (I have fake/ceramic eggs ready to go).

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Can you post a picture of her?
Comb and wattle reddening up & squatting are definitely signs.

 

[Lor]

Can you post a picture of her?
Comb and wattle reddening up & squatting are definitely signs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Those are the signs, but I am betting you have another 3-4 weeks to go. About the time you don't think any of them are ever going to lay.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Yep, agreed.

 

[Lor]

Those are the signs, but I am betting you have another 3-4 weeks to go. About the time you don't think any of them are ever going to lay.

But I was excited thinking she would lay soon!
The other pullets aren't as developed yet.

 

[Mrs. K]

I know, ...believe me I do know. And when you see a sign...well what about now? With years of experience, I find it is a good solid month after you see the signs. Post back and tell us how long it was.

The longest period ever in chicken raising is the 21 days until the chicks hatch. But the second longest period is the 5+/ months until they lay.

Mrs K

 

[Lor]

Rosemary tried checking out the nest boxes but got chased out by an older hen. I found her in a dark spot by herself. I think she's practicing.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Does this mean she will be laying soon? Or possible we still have many weeks left?

This usually happens about 1 month before onset of lay in my experience.. which I see also agrees with several other posters' approximations!

 

[Lor]

She made a little nest in the leaves in the shady area behind the coop. After sitting there for a little while got up and started singing the egg song. No egg, though.