egg laying readiness signs

[awagnon]

I have a question on figuring out who is and isn't laying. I know for sure who the first one was, but not sure about the other two. Combs and wattles are getting more prominent and brighter red, but they don't squat when I reach down for them like the first one does. Do all hens who are about to start laying or already laying squat when you touch their back? Wish I spoke chicken, I'd just ask who's egg was whose. lol

 

[Sussex19]

I doubt that all hens squad when touched, it's probably down to the individual, what you can do is feel for the pelvic bones and feel how big the difference is between the one that's laying and the others.
On one which is laying there's a far bit more of a gap between them.

 

[Dreammaker]

I doubt that all hens squad when touched, it's probably down to the individual, what you can do is feel for the pelvic bones and feel how big the difference is between the one that's laying and the others.
On one which is laying there's a far bit more of a gap between them.

Yes, I have found that squatting isn't guaranteed to happen. 1 out of my laying 6 hens never squatted, still doesn't. For me, the squatting meant eggs in one or two weeks, but the closest, surest sign was when they'd toss around pieces of straw with their beaks (specifically, over their back). When I saw that with a few of my birds, they laid within 48 hours.

 

[Mrs. K]

I figure that when the combs turn bright red, you have 3-4 weeks before eggs, about the time you have given up all hope of ever getting a single egg!

You can also sit down there, with a cup a of coffee and see who is laying what. But the pelvic check is best. Check the one that you are sure is laying, then the other two.

The only thing that takes longer than getting a hen to lay is the 21 days for eggs to hatch...that is about equivalent to an eon.

Mrs K