Close to POL?

[Chickenhappy8708]

My chickens are 15 weeks old today! I have 2 chicks in question, because of their large comb and wattles size. First up, my white Leghorn Laia. I know Leghorn s have a tendency to lay between 16-20 weeks, some laying even earlier at 14 weeks. She just finished a molt, and is kind of filling out. I can check her for bleaching later today.

Next up, Buff Orphington Hazel. Now, I understand that Orphingtons usually don't lay until much later than 18 weeks, however her comb is large and red, she also just finished molting. Is think she was a boy, but she doesn't crow, and she gets mated with by the cockerel, so mabey soon?

 

[The Happster]

I'd imagine the LH will lay very soon.
Can I have full body pics of young Hazel?
Orpingtons are usually late layers, but it kinda depends where you got her.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Yep, I can get her. She is from Hoover Hatchery, but her sisters face has barely turned pink!

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Pics of her and her sister Livia.Hazel has the full body pic. I understand this is kind of like a babies due date, they tell you, you can guess, but its always off a little bit!

 

[The Happster]

She shouldn't be long.
I'm used to the Orpingtons that take 6 months to lay.
Everyone else seems to have Orps that lay super early.
I don't buy from hatcheries though.
The Leghorn should definitely be soon.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Yay! I'm super excited! I love white eggs, and Laia is my favorite chicken, plus she has a pro like Amber teaching her to lay in the boxes. Hazel is confusing me... She isn't very smart, and she has always been weird, so it could be one of her... Quirks?
I was also wondering speaking of hatchery quality, both Orphingtons have dark brown speckled on their tail feathers, esspesily Livia. We know it isn't dirt, you can't wash it out, do you think they could be mixed? And that is why Hazel looks closer to POL?

 

[The Happster]

It's pretty common for Orpingtons to get some small amount of speckling.
Very often you won't notice it when they're fully feathered though.
Majority of my home hatched Orp chicks start out life with speckles on their heads.
One of my cockerels has a feather in his tail with some black.
You can kinda see some speckles here:

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

So cute❤ they have both had it since they grew tail feathers, so pretty early. Do you hatch all your chicks? My mom would never let me because if the cockerel risk... But it appears that won't matter lol. Your chicks are super cute lol, btw one of yours has placed in my sisters contest

 

[BarredRockMotherHen]

Pics of her and her sister Livia.Hazel has the full body pic. I understand this is kind of like a babies due date, they tell you, you can guess, but its always off a little bit!View attachment 2299749View attachment 2299750

Beautiful hens! They look like mine, she’s 15 weeks also and her comb and wattle are no where near that size yet. Her name is Honey. My 85 year old neighbor tells me to just be patient. Chickens are like children, they are all different. He’s older and wiser and raised chickens for 50 years of his life, so... I’m taking his advice while biting my nails

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Ok, Hazel was playing in the nesting boxes today, her vent looked like it was pushing. I didn't see her do one of those massive pre-lay poops though. Laia has started squatting when you pick her up now, but has decided not to lay yet. It was funny though, Hazel was clucking and along down in the nesting boxes, Wich I guess isn't where Tino wants her to lay eggs, because he keeps pushing her out, then tidbitting in the corner, and doesn't mate with her when she squats, just leaves.