Does curiosity signal getting ready to lay?

[NZChookdom]

From my 9 chooks, 6 are not yet laying. I have noticed the last week or so a big curiosity in visiting the coop during the day and checking out the nesting boxes. Nothing is happening, but they go in, sometimes with a buddy, check it out, and leave. Could this mean they are getting ready to lay?

 

[BGcoop]

Yes they could be getting ready- but it still may take some time. I prefer to do the pelvic bone check when I think they are getting close.

 

[NZChookdom]

Yes they could be getting ready- but it still may take some time. I prefer to do the pelvic bone check when I think they are getting close.

I don’t know to do that yet.

 

[aart]

I've found checking and messing the nests a pretty sure sign that laying is imminent.

You can check pelvic points, but like squatting, bone spread can happen a couple-few weeks before laying.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[CHlCKEN]

From my 9 chooks, 6 are not yet laying. I have noticed the last week or so a big curiosity in visiting the coop during the day and checking out the nesting boxes. Nothing is happening, but they go in, sometimes with a buddy, check it out, and leave. Could this mean they are getting ready to lay?

Sounds like they’re looking for safe places to lay. Put a ceramic egg in there and that will indicate to your girls that another hen has already laid there and that it’s a secure and quiet spot. Do the squat test too. Come up behind them or suddenly move your hand over. If she squats then that indicates she is either laying or very close to it. This behavior is natural to a hen, as it is the position they take when they... well when a cute boy comes over to them. Their combs will turn a bright shade of red too. This indicates to you and a potential rooster that the hen is ready to lay and is healthy.

 

[Chloejay]

It sounds like they are getting ready. Mine also started doing the ‘submissive squat’ days before they started laying if that helps.

 

[NZChookdom]

Do the squat test too. Come up behind them or suddenly move your hand over. If she squats then that indicates she is either laying or very close to it.

Thanks for that! Yes, some do squat down when I go to pet them. Yay! More eggs soon!!!

 

[CHlCKEN]

Thanks for that! Yes, some do squat down when I go to pet them. Yay! More eggs soon!!!

That’s great! I added a few more details to my post, I’m not sure if you saw. I hope you get eggs soon!