Are My Leghorns Close to Laying?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Okay, please educate me. (willing to be wrong, in fact I want to know more). This was called out as being a rooster (as it was, but a marans mix) at similar age. Dead giveaway- he started crowing at 18 weeks:

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Hello!

Mediterranean breeds are a little different from most chickens, as they can get massive combs and can mature quicker.
White Leghorns are notorious for oversized single combs.
Sometimes the pullets/hens have combs that, for any other breed of chicken, would almost guarantee it's a cockerel/rooster.

Once you get used to seeing them, it doesn't look so rooster-y anymore (at least with certain characteristics/breeds)

Your picture is a very handsome cockerel. He might possibly be half white leghorn even? But the feathers in back are male-specific, and what gives it away in that case.