How do you know if your hen has stopped laying?

[maricela8492]

I wanted to know how you can tell if a hen is still laying.

I went online and I read that you need to feel the bones UNDER the vent.

One article said that If you can only lay one fingertip between the bones, she isn`t laying. Two or more and she is.

However, I saw a video that said the opposite. That if you can lay four or more she isn’t laying.

Can someone please clarify????

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I am not familiar with the bone theory. I can tell who is laying based on their comb and wattle color. Bright red and large = laying. Pale and small = not in lay. For example, my girls in molt right now aren't laying and their combs have shrunk and turned a dull pink instead of the usual bright red.

 

[BantyChooks]

That if you can lay four or more she isn’t laying.

Completely false. Wide pelvic bone spread indicates they are laying.

 

[BantyChooks]

I am not familiar with the bone theory. I can tell who is laying based on their comb and wattle color. Bright red and large = laying. Pale and small = not in lay. For example, my girls in molt right now aren't laying and their combs have shrunk and turned a dull pink instead of the usual bright red.

Agreed. Condition of the vent is another pointer.

 

[aart]

Both of these take a bit of practice, but are accurate

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

 

[maricela8492]

Thank you everyone this helped me sooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!