Does this RIR pullet look close to point of lay?

[MySuburbanLife]

This is Goldie, my 17 week-old RIR. I'm wondering if the size and color of her comb and waddles can tell me if she's getting close to laying... I'm due to buy another bag of feed this week and will get more developer if she's still a month or more off, but I'll start on layer if she's within a few weeks. Does that sound reasonable? Any guesses as to how many more weeks she has before I see that first precious egg?

 

[LoveChickens123]

she looks close to laying if she is heavy she has eggs

 

[Rachel96]

I usually get first eggs around 22 or 23 weeks, although I have got them as early as 19 weeks, but that's quite rare. Most of my pullets have startled laying by about 25 or 26 weeks, except at the beginning of winter, they usually wait until late winter to start laying. I've never had pur RIRs, though, so it could be different. I wouldn't think so, though, and I've had RIR-crosses before.

Anyway, I would say 17 weeks is a bit early, and her combe and wattles still look quite small to me, so I would say give her at least another month before she starts laying.

from Rachel.

 

[Happy Chooks]

She's about 2-4 weeks out still. She's pink, but not red. When the area around here eyes turn bright red, then she's super close.

 

[MySuburbanLife]

Thanks! I'll go with another bag of developer this time.