16 weeks old

[ChopperBambi]

My pullets are turning 16 weeks and I'm prepping to open the nesting boxes this weekend in prep... These 2 look close to laying? Or is it just me? My barred rock doesn't look like this yet and my Easter egger has no comb or wattle so it's anyone's guess with that one... But also, how can you tell the pecking order? I have a buff, black Australorp, barred rock and Easter egger. They seem to have very minimal squabbles. The Easter egger does run at the buff and the ba whenever I free range them, but neither run away from her and instead stand their ground, so I have no clue! Any insights for what to look for?

 

[aart]

The one in the middle looks the closest, but probably not quite yet.
But it's good to open the nests now, so you can make sure they will not sleep in them.
Hopefully your roosts are higher than the nests, that can really help.

Here's some tips:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

The pecking order can change, and it's not always obvious who is top hen.

 

[ChopperBambi]

Huh you think my buff is redder than my black Australorp? Interesting! Well we'll see!

Watched them take a dirt bath this afternoon and still no idea what the pecking order is, but that's ok they seem to all get along swimmingly!

 

[aart]

still no idea what the pecking order is

I've had chickens for 7 years, and there's only been a few times there's been an obvious 'top bird'. The pecking order rolls downhill, someone's always pecking at someone else.