We have three, 18 week old buff orps and we're patiently waiting for our first eggs. One of them, PJ, is definitely the furthest along developmentally. She is much redder on her comb and wattle than the other 2. In the past few days she's become much more vocal, both in volume and frequency of her "talking". Has anyone else seen this happen before they start laying? Excited in OH!
Oh yes! This is known as "singing." All pullets/hens do it before and sometimes after they lay eggs. My buff orp is doing the same thing.
My leghorns, too! They got much more vocal as they matured. Except they didn't sing, so much as do a kind of chicken growl with an occasional squawk. I couldn't figure out what people meant by the egg song, but I get it now that they've been laying for a few weeks.