How can I tell my chicken are ready to lay

[davenportfamily]

I have 8 girls and new to this so how can I tell id they are getting close to laying or now they are about 7 months old also our rooster ha start to be mean to the girls and he been with them since birth why would he start acting like that thanks

 

[Whittni]

Pullets close to laying will start squatting when you go near them. They'll have red waddles and a red comb, both will be pretty big too. Your rooster is growing up where he'll start mating because he's reaching sexual maturity, it's perfectly natural so have no worries. A lot of people will add a rooster after their chickens start laying so just make sure your pullets can have a break from him if he gets to aggressive towards your girls.