How do you determine if a hen can lay eggs

[dah1996]

Me and my mom argue how you can tell if a hen can lay an egg I always thought it was based on age, but she thinks because they are so big they should be laying.

Noteey still have 2-3 months before thee old enough to lay

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

A for sure sign they'll lay soon is squatting, but you're more correct. They need yo be a certain age before they'll start laying. And that age depends on breed, as some breeds mature faster then others. My Leghorns were laying by 5 months old. My Silkies and Cochins took alot longer. I saw my first Silkie egg around 10 months (one of my other hens just laid her first egg at 1 year and a couple weeks). Depends on the breed/individual bird, IMO