How do I know when my chickens will be close to laying eggs? Behaviors?

[Skyleen13]

My pullets are now about 14 weeks old. My rooster who is a year & a half old has begun to be interested in some of them. I’ve been told that when my pullets are close to laying age they begin to “bow” when you hover your hand over their backs. What does this look like? I just want my pullets happy & I still need to get the nesting boxes ready for them.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. Your rooster may begin to mate with them just before they begin laying. Some hens will squat, drop to the ground so they create a stability when the roo gets on, but not all of them will do so for YOU.
You'll see them begin to show interest in nesting, getting the boxes prepped now is a good idea. You may find little nests in corners of the coop or run if there's sufficient materials to build one. Physically you'll see combs and wattles getting red and growing.

 

[RojoMarz]

I got my first egg today. Our pullets are 17/18 weeks. Starting last week, the 3 RIRs and the BO have been "talking" more than before and they squat (they get lower to the ground and sorta spread their wings away from their body...but the wings are not open) when I try and pet their backs.

 

[aart]

I still need to get the nesting boxes ready for them.

Should get them ready now.
Then you can make sure they don't try to sleep in them before eggs start to come.

 

[Skyleen13]

Should get them ready now.
Then you can make sure they don't try to sleep in them before eggs start to come.

Thank you. I will start getting them ready now.

 

[Skyleen13]

Hi there. Your rooster may begin to mate with them just before they begin laying. Some hens will squat, drop to the ground so they create a stability when the roo gets on, but not all of them will do so for YOU.
You'll see them begin to show interest in nesting, getting the boxes prepped now is a good idea. You may find little nests in corners of the coop or run if there's sufficient materials to build one. Physically you'll see combs and wattles getting redded and growing.

Ok. I’ve noticed that some of them have begun to develop waddles & combs. Not very big. But their starting to turn red.

 

[aart]

Here's some more tips about......
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[igorsMistress]

Ok. I’ve noticed that some of them have begun to develop waddles & combs. Not very big. But their starting to turn red.

It sounds like it might not be too long then. Don't be surprised if you find an egg under the roost, in the middle of the run, etc.

 

[Skyleen13]

It sounds like it might not be too long then. Don't be surprised if you find an egg under the roost, in the middle of the run, etc.

I just set up their nesting boxes. Even put gulf balls in them. No sooner then did I move out of the way then 4 of my 10 pullets jumped right in & started trying to nest.

 

[Skyleen13]

Should get them ready now.
Then you can make sure they don't try to sleep in them before eggs start to come.

I set up their nesting boxes. Complete with gulf balls. No sooner did I move away from them then 4 of my 10 pullets jumped into them & started trying to nest.