Do you think my hen is almost ready to lay and is this a Rhode island red?

[Hoonta]

I bought this hen around 2 months ago and and I have seen online that if a hen has a very red face this could mean it is close to

laying.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Red face can mean close to laying, along with a bunch of other things. Another sign is when you quickly put your hand over their back and they squat for you. But those signs can be present up to a month or so before onset of laying. Some hens will pace the lay boxes, checking them out and making adjustments. And some will even practice the egg song. Many make a squawking type almost complaining or announcing before they go lay. Sounds like "squawk, walk, alk"

Her comb and waddles seem small to be pure RIR. Is it even a straight comb like the girl next to her? So I might think mix breed. Waiting on eggs can be so hard!

Do you have other girls laying or any fake eggs in the box to show them where to lay when they're ready?

 

[Hoonta]

Thank you and yes I do have one hen laying right now

 

[aart]

There's always the 'butt check', best way I know to tell one who is laying from one who is not....and good way to become familiar with your birds anatomy.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

 

[Queeniesmom]

They look my girls. ISA browns which are a hybrid of RIRs.

 

[junebuggena]

Looks like a Buckeye mix. Not quite ready to lay yet, but getting there. Looks like she's about 3 to 4 weeks away from being ready to lay.

 

[Hoonta]

Ok thank you sorry for the late response this is good to know.