How do I know which hens are laying?

[mthro2]

Not even half of my hens are laying right now! How do I tell which ones are?

 

[chezpoulet]

I was shown how to feel for the pelvic bone near the vent area- if your pullet has laid an egg the pelvic bone should feel wider and more"spread out" - you'll have to feel one that has not laid yet , and you can actually tell the difference!

I also only have five pullets, and can tell each pullet's egg apart from color and speckles, as well as where they laid! One of them will not lay in the nesting box and I got her a plastic container, and that is Bella's own personal nestbox.

 

[Sparklee]

Quote:
Bright red combs and wattles are often an easy way to tell. Bright red = laying (usually) and pink = not laying (usually). Also the red combs will be taller and a little more swollen looking than the pink dried up shrunken looking combs of the non-layer. This is a rule of thumb, but not true in every case.

Trap nesting is close to fail proof way to know who is laying. However, it's difficult to get or make a trap nest and then you have to watch it closely to let out the hen when she lays the egg so that the other layers can get in.

 

[Happy Chooks]

You can feel between the pelvic bones (NOT inside the vent) - those with a wider gap are most likely your layers. The ones with the reddest combs and wattles is another way. Third, would be catching them in the act. 4th, trap nesting - but you have to be available to release the hen from the nest.

 

[mthro2]

All very helpful, thank you!! I think the combs and waddles is my best bet because I was looking at them today and I really can tell a difference!