Are my ladies about to start laying?

[Shmemums]

I've noticed 2 or 3 of my brahma ladies are starting to squat when the humans approach them instead of making a mad dash away. I have 5 total, hatched on March 23. 2 of them have much pinker floppy doos and neck jiggles than the others so I think they are getting ready to lay.. but from what I've read they are supposed to be late bloomers. They are only about 4 and a half months old right now so is it even possible for them to lay yet?

 

[nuthatched]

Combs and wattles.
18 weeks is when most pullets lay however it could be another month from squat to lay.

 

[Shmemums]

Combs and wattles.
18 weeks is when most pullets lay however it could be another month from squat to lay.

Is it even possible for brahmas to lay that early?

 

[nuthatched]

Why wouldn't it be? They likely lay around 21-22 weeks, that's not too early. Hatchery stock brahmas can lay earlier.

 

[Shmemums]

Why wouldn't it be? They likely lay around 21-22 weeks, that's not too early. Hatchery stock brahmas can lay earlier.

Brahma guides only say around 6 or 7 months for them to lay...or sometimes even longer

 

[Tookie]

I like feeling the pelvis bones to see when they are going to lay, here's an article.->
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/?page=2

 

[Shmemums]

I like feeling the pelvis bones to see when they are going to lay, here's an article.->
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/?page=2

I'm not gonna go feeling up my chickens lol! Maybe it will be necessary at some point but that's not today

 

[nuthatched]

Brahma guides only say around 6 or 7 months for them to lay...or sometimes even longer

For breeder quality, yes, for hatchery quality they typically lay sooner

 

[Shmemums]

For breeder quality, yes, for hatchery quality they typically lay sooner

Ok. Well I just fixed their nest boxes up with nesting pads and fake eggs so hopefully they get the point if it's going to be time soon

 

[Tookie]

I'm not gonna go feeling up my chickens lol! Maybe it will be necessary at some point but that's not today

If you post a picture of them we could estimate when they will lay. To feel the pelvic bones you do not go up their vent, the bones are on either side of the vent and you can feel them on the outside.