Does comb/wattle development suggest maturity/egglaying readiness?

[tdkmom]

My roos are 13 weeks and are OBVIOUSLY males. I have RIR and they have their beautiful green tail feathers, large bright red combs. I'd definitey say you have a girl.

 

[MIKE555444]

As the BO's get close to laying age you will see quite a bit of growth in comb/wattles

Here is a pic just as mine started to lay

 

[BayMinetteChickenMom]

I have 3 Dutch Bantams, from the same brood. One developed much quicker than the others. Her comb and wattles and turned red about two weeks before she began laying, so yeah, in my case it was a good indicator. And don't feel bad about doubting your pullet. I started to wonder about mine before she laid that first egg.

 

[shaggy]

Quote:
that is exactly what my BO's look like ... they are about 19 weeks ... only the faces on mine are a little more red

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Whew! Thanks Elmwood and cposz. I almost

at the thought of a possible roo. My Hope is so quiet, though, she couldn't possibly be a cockrel

Very good to have the input on timing. I was just cleaning out the coop and wondering if I should start setting up the nesting boxes - looks like i have a few more weeks before I need to do that.

Thanks!

 

[gardenak]

My BO is 21 weeks today and looks like yours- Although her comb turned red, it hasn't "sprouted" yet. Soon, very soon.

 

[henningheather]

Quote:
My BO look just like her and I am sure they are hens! 2 have turned red and grown combs and wattles and the other 3 are starting to. Maybe you'll have eggs real soon:-D

 

[RiverBendPol]

One of my BO's has such red and flappy head gear we had to name her Pat, just in case...She also has a spur on one ankle. The 2 other girls never caught up in that department but Pat is now, at 16 months, most definitely a girl. It was a bit scary there for a while.