How close to first egg??

[Sheltiepawz]

Are we getting close??? What am I supposed to look for? So excited to get the first egg! My first time with chickens. My GLW is the reddest at 18 weeks. Most are still flesh, pink colored. Pictures of the reddest ones.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You're supposed to look for larger, redder combs and wattles.
However, the tell all is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. It should be 2 finger width or more. When at point of lay, the pelvic bones will spread to allow eggs to pass.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Just ask them how they're feeling.
I think the translation is "bock bock - cluuuuuuck cluck bock".

 

[eikome]

My GLW just laid her first egg today! 24 weeks + 3 days old She had a very bright red comb & wattles for about 2 weeks beforehand, was checking out the nest boxes, and sort of did a semi egg squat when I went to pick her up the past couple days, so I figured it would be soon. Hope yours comes along soon too!

 

[Sheltiepawz]

My GLW just laid her first egg today! 24 weeks + 3 days old She had a very bright red comb & wattles for about 2 weeks beforehand, was checking out the nest boxes, and sort of did a semi egg squat when I went to pick her up the past couple days, so I figured it would be soon. Hope yours comes along soon too!

How exciting!!! I can’t wait!!!
Mine is very red and has grown a lot in wattles and comb lately. She is very petite though. I did the finger check and she is not 2 fingers apart yet.
So far no squatting or Checking of boxes yet.

 

[Sheltiepawz]

You're supposed to look for larger, redder combs and wattles.
However, the tell all is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. It should be 2 finger width or more. When at point of lay, the pelvic bones will spread to allow eggs to pass.

Very helpful! One of barred rocks is the only one with 2 finger tips and her comb and wattles have really grown in the past week.
The first egg is going to be so exciting!

 

[Morrigan]

There's no pat answer. This year, I've had pullets walking around with big red combs and digging through the nest boxes for weeks before they finally started laying. It drove me crazy.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The first egg excitement is indescribable.
Sounds like you will be getting at least one egg soon.
Now that daily light period is getting longer, if your other pullets are the same age, they may not be far behind. I remember how satisfying it was to get 10 eggs from 10 hens in one day telling me every one of my 7 month old pullets were laying. They were rocks, JGs and orps.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-is-not-butt-check.73309/#ams-comment-508603

 

[Sheltiepawz]

thanks so much for video, very helpful! I did the check, only one Buff and one barred rock 2 fingers apart. Looks like we will be waiting awhile