4 month old sex links squatting?

[MyFrancesca]

I've read chickens begin laying aronud 5-6 months of age.
I've read when they starting coming to you and squatting they will begin laying soon.
Yesterday was out of the ordinary for my chickens. They did not want to be out back alone. They hopped the fence several times and came to the garage and knocked on the door (their way of telling me they need my attention). Normally, they only do this if they're out of food/water. I checked and checked on them several times but it seemed they had everything they needed/wanted. I even gave them tons of leftover scraps from our fruit freezing yesterday.
This morning I went outside and one of my red sex links turned her rear toward me and squatted to the ground. I thought she was just extra thankful I was outside this morning. But then I read on here that she is getting ready to lay eggs.
However, I double checked the date I brought them home from the tractor supply store and they are barely over 4 months of age.
Can they begin laying this soon? I've noticed another one squatted not too long ago but I didn't pay attention to it. So now I'm wondering if yesterday's antics meant someone laid an egg and they were trying to get me to see.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Sex links tend to lay earlier than other kinds of chickens. They're about 16 weeks old at this point, and it's early but not unheard of for them to lay at 16 weeks.

Probably they are starting these behaviors now and you'll see your first egg around 18-19 weeks, which is totally normal for sex links, white Leghorns, and other production breeds.

 

[Fred's Hens]

They will likely start, a few of them anyhow, in a couple of weeks, which would make them 17-18 weeks.

Chickens can't read, so what ever you read? LOL Just watch and enjoy your birds.

Seriously, this matter is NOT universal. Hybrids, like the sex links, often are bred to lay very early. Other, more traditional, heritage birds, bred to a 100 year old standard may not lay until they 36-38 weeks.

 

[MyFrancesca]

Good to know! Thanks for the information. We also have an australorp and an ameracauna from the age group but only my sex links are squatting.

 

[dawnpel]

I have 6 red sex links which I bought at Tractor Supply the day before Easter. They are now 15 weeks old and have layed 5 eggs!! I believe its the same hen laying them all until today. Today I went out and there was one in the nest box ( nice hard shell) and 2 VERY soft shell were layed from the roost!! ( Broken) I am so surprised they are laying at this early age.

 

[MyFrancesca]

Wow, awesome! I bet that is super exciting. So do you plan to give them oyster shells to help? Should I start providing oyster shells for them now? I'm not sure, honestly.
What kind of feed do you give yours that have started laying so early? Mine free range the yard, I provide them with scraps from the house (I put it in compost and they pick it out), and then I also give them purina layer feed BUT I'm switching that to a feed store brand instead...I just had to use the rest of the bag first.

 

[dawnpel]

Actually sounds like mine are on the same feeding as you, I use purina layer pellets, the free range and they are spoiled Rotten!! LOL I was shocked when I found my first egg last Friday....They are awful small but I will say they are VERY yummy!! Why are you going to switch feed brand?

 

[MyFrancesca]

I want something from local farmers and something that isn't chemically treated in a factory. I want to provide something that has more "love" than just the purina brand. It's also cheaper and looks better...I've been feeding crumbles but should probably switch the pellets.

 

[MyFrancesca]

I went home on lunch and found my 4 chickens running the yard like mad women. I was in a panic unable to find Lil the 5th chicken. I found her in a small dirt hole, covered in dirt, making a nice little nest on the ground. The other chickens seem to be dancing around her. She doesn't want touched, pretends you're not the there and is making quite the seen in this little hole she has dug. She pushes dirt down under her. I looked and didn't find an egg. But she lays on her side then flops her butt in the air. Is this a sign of laying??

 

[dawnpel]

Sounds like she was giving herself a dust bath! My chickens love rolling around in the sand. If you try to pat her and she squats and puts her butt up, that means the time is getting really close.