Are My Leghorns Close to Laying?

[North_FL_Coops]

My Leghorns are approximately 15 weeks old now (give or take - got them from TS a few months ago). I recently started opening the nesting area on my Omlet coop (I open it in the mornings, close it at night) and all three have been getting in there and exploring. They've also started eating more over the past few days. They're getting the starter/grower crumble along with some diced veggies.

I've read that Leghorns can start laying as early as 18 weeks, but without knowing their true age I'm not sure quite when to expect it. Are there signs I can look for? Or do I just wait until I see an egg?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[SamLockwood]

Hens getting red to pink combs & wattles is one sign of imanent laying. Another one is they'll suddenly get interested in looking for nests. If you free range them this will often include "inappropriate" areas. They'll also start going through mood swings and personality changes shortly before or after they lay their first egg. Some of them will be quite dramatic about it.

 

[fluffycrow]

The pullet farthest away from the camera seems to be the closest to laying. If you haven’t already, I’d add fake eggs to the nests to encourage them to lay there. They usually explore the nest sites at this time.

As for exact time frame, I’ve been fooled by mine too many times to be confident in my guesses. Usually it’s two weeks after you’ve given up

 

[Mother of Chaos]

My Leghorns are approximately 15 weeks old now (give or take - got them from TS a few months ago). I recently started opening the nesting area on my Omlet coop (I open it in the mornings, close it at night) and all three have been getting in there and exploring. They've also started eating more over the past few days. They're getting the starter/grower crumble along with some diced veggies.

I've read that Leghorns can start laying as early as 18 weeks, but without knowing their true age I'm not sure quite when to expect it. Are there signs I can look for? Or do I just wait until I see an egg?

Any advice is appreciated!

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Are they squatting? (When you put your hand out like you’re about to pet them, they squat down and unfold their wings slightly.) That’s another sign, maybe within a couple of weeks.

 

[North_FL_Coops]

Are they squatting? (When you put your hand out like you’re about to pet them, they squat down and unfold their wings slightly.) That’s another sign, maybe within a couple of weeks.

They do squat when I go to pet them, so between that and the combs I figured they may be getting close.

It's a shame they don't have a little light that goes on or a button that pops up to confirm an egg is coming!

 

[North_FL_Coops]

The pullet farthest away from the camera seems to be the closest to laying. If you haven’t already, I’d add fake eggs to the nests to encourage them to lay there. They usually explore the nest sites at this time.

As for exact time frame, I’ve been fooled by mine too many times to be confident in my guesses. Usually it’s two weeks after you’ve given up

Yeah, she's the queen of the run at the moment. They tend to hang out under the coop during the heat of the day (I have a fan blowing through there to keep the air moving since it's been ridiculously hot), but they all head into the coop several times a day and spend time in the nesting box.

I'm hoping they'll instinctively know what to do, but the fake egg suggestion is a great idea. I'll see if I can find some. Joann Fabrics closed here, so I'll have to find another craft store that may carry them.

 

[North_FL_Coops]

Hens getting red to pink combs & wattles is one sign of imanent laying. Another one is they'll suddenly get interested in looking for nests. If you free range them this will often include "inappropriate" areas. They'll also start going through mood swings and personality changes shortly before or after they lay their first egg. Some of them will be quite dramatic about it.

No free ranging, unfortunately. I'd be worried they'd either hop the fence or go under it, and there are quite a few red-tailed hawks in the neighborhood. I'll be expanding their run in the next few months, though. I want them to be able to move about more.

 

[Chickenpoonumber2]

I'm in the same boat!!! Just waiting for that first egg.

 

[North_FL_Coops]

I'm in the same boat!!! Just waiting for that first egg.

The anticipation is killing me!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

They do squat when I go to pet them, so between that and the combs I figured they may be getting close.

It's a shame they don't have a little light that goes on or a button that pops up to confirm an egg is coming!

They often get caught by surprise with the first egg as often as we do!