Any clues to when a hen may start egglaying?

[Elsachicken]

Hiya!

I was just wondering if there are any clues or things to watch out for when a hen may be ready to start egglaying.

Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

She will show interest in the nest box, spend a lot of time scuffing around in the box, playing with and flinging the hay around, may toss it over her back. She will sing the egg song. She will squat for a rooster, and if you don't have one, she will squat for you. You'll make her day when she does so if you ruffle the feathers at the base of her back. Her comb and wattles will plump up and get noticeably redder.

 

[Elsachicken]

Thanks for the info.
I will give it a go and my light Sussex does squat when I stroke her and I wondered why she started squatting

 

[caseybean025]

All 4 of my girls started squatting and laid within two days of the first squat. Fingers crossed you'll get an egg soon!

 

[Elsachicken]

All 4 of my girls started squatting and laid within two days of the first squat. Fingers crossed you'll get an egg soon!

Looking forward to a first egg!
In your opinion is the red bit red enough? All I've noticed is the squatting in the last two days.

 

[caseybean025]

Looking forward to a first egg!
In your opinion is the red bit red enough? All I've noticed is the squatting in the last two days.

With my purebred bantam cochin, she was about as red as your girl I'd say. After her first egg is when I really noticed hers getting even bigger and more red. I know some people noticed that beforehand, but it wasn't the case with me.
Close to POL.

After POL. Actually while laying. Lol.

 

[Elsachicken]

Still no eggs yet, but she squatting a lot still and also digging around in her coup and also her red bit is redder than I've seen it before!! Checking eagerly throughout day

 

[caseybean025]

I swear they know when we're waiting for eggs and purposely hold out on us! Those are all signs of it being VERY close, so I hope they hurry up for you!