How close are our Australorps to laying?

[Belbris]

Here’s our Australorp girls at 19.5 weeks. Any guesses how long we will have to wait before they lay based on their wattle and comb development/colourings?

The white one squats when we pat her (but doesn’t particularly like it)

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Within less Then a week of squatting.

 

[staceyj]

This is such an exciting time!

Get your nesting boxes ready!

Wow! This picture makes my heart smile. Your birds are such lovelies!

Signs to look for:

Have you measured the space between her pelvic bones with your fingers?

At point of lay that space is at least a generous two fingers width (to accommodate the passing of an egg).

Squatting quickly and enthusiastically is a good sign, it shows maturity.

Interest in the nest box!

Lots of going in and out of the coop. I remember those last few weeks there was constant traffic all day long up and down the ramp to their house.

A few of mine would sit in the nest and sort of whimper and cry! And also their comb would blanch pale.
This went on for several consecutive days until an egg actually appeared.

My guess is you still have a few more weeks (3-4).

 

[aart]

They sure look close!
They are gorgeous birds.
Do you free range?

Might want to do an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Belbris]

They sure look close!
They are gorgeous birds.
Do you free range?

Might want to do an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Yes they free range some of the day but not until after around 10.30/11am to maximise the chance that when they lay it will be in the coop. Keeping an eye on where they go in case they start laying outside the coop.

We tried to check their pelvic bones the other day but there are so many feathers it took ages to find the vent and then they’d had enough of being held. Will try again. I checked a few weeks ago and it was probably 1.5 finger width (But I have pretty skinny fingers)

 

[Belbris]

This is such an exciting time!

Get your nesting boxes ready!

Wow! This picture makes my heart smile. Your birds are such lovelies!

Signs to look for:

Have you measured the space between her pelvic bones with your fingers?

At point of lay that space is at least a generous two fingers width (to accommodate the passing of an egg).

Squatting quickly and enthusiastically is a good sign, it shows maturity.

Interest in the nest box!

Lots of going in and out of the coop. I remember those last few weeks there was constant traffic all day long up and down the ramp to their house.

A few of mine would sit in the nest and sort of whimper and cry! And also their comb would blanch pale.
This went on for several consecutive days until an egg actually appeared.

My guess is you still have a few more weeks (3-4).

Thanks for your reply. A few nights ago they started to sleep in the nesting boxes so I blocked them off temporarily. Haven’t noticed them going into the nesting boxes during the day. Will have to keep them blocked overnight and unblock for daytime once they are re-trained to sleep on their roost.

 

[FayoumisFreak]

Those hens are stunning! They should start laying any day.

 

[aart]

We tried to check their pelvic bones the other day but there are so many feathers it took ages to find the vent and then they’d had enough of being held. Will try again. I checked a few weeks ago and it was probably 1.5 finger width (But I have pretty skinny fingers)

It's kinda hard at first, but once you find them a few times it gets much easier.
I usually do it after dark grabbing them off the roost,
they are much calmer then but you need a good headlight.

 

[Belbris]

It's kinda hard at first, but once you find them a few times it gets much easier.
I usually do it after dark grabbing them off the roost,
they are much calmer then but you need a good headlight.

Have you measured the space between her pelvic bones with your fingers?
At point of lay that space is at least a generous two fingers width (to accommodate the passing of an egg).
My guess is you still have a few more weeks (3-4).

Felt their pelvic bones this afternoon. The pale Australorp is probably 1.5 fingers wide (~2cm) which is no bigger than maybe 2 weeks ago, the dark Australorp is fractionally wider but not big enough for 2 fingers (~2.5cm) (wider than 2 weeks ago). Guess this means there is still a bit of waiting time as its still quite narrow.

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Gorgeous girls