Can you tell when your pullets will lay by...

[wordgirl]

...the space between their pubic bones? Or is this just a very silly question?

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Not silly at all. It is the one sure way to know.

 

[wordgirl]

So...how much space? When you can fit two, three fingers between them?

 

[pixie74943]

if you wanna check...

my babies both started doing their little submissive egg squat a week before they started laying

less yucky hints

 

[LaSombra]

Quote:
I'd think that depends on the size of your hands...

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
It is usually three fingers with the common birds.

You hold the bird with it's head to the rear and its legs straddling your left forearm. Now, place the first three fingers of your right hand between the pelvic bones and push them in, move them around... sort of massage the area. You're looking for a sense of feel, the physical arrangement, if you will, of of the pelvic region. Of particular interest is the musculature and placement of the lower organs etc.

When a hen is in lay, or soon will be, the pelvic bones spread and the muscles loosen. The lower organs are soft and palpable.
When a hen is not in lay or not ready, the pelvic region will be hard and "pinched" feeling, unyielding to the touch.

If you've ever been to the doctor, and he pokes and prods and massages your abdomen, feeling your internals - it's the same thing.

There are other signs of laying readiness, but this is the sure way to know. If you are squemish about it, you may want to consider another sort of pastime. Sooner or later, you gotta get down and intimate with your chickens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Davaroo did a real good job of describing it. This link gives other clues. I know it is a culling site but I am not suggesting you cull your chickens. I'm sending it because it has good information about signs of chickens laying.

Pigment Color – Signs of Laying
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/culling.html#id

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Excellent link. Bleaching is another sign, although not utterly reliable until the bird is really into laying mode.

Trap nesting is the final test of the layer, but it is complicated and time consuming.