How do you tell when a silkie is ready to lay?

[zoomia]

My silkie is about 9 months, and I have no idea how to tell when she's going to start laying. She doesn't let me close enough to see if she'll squat, and the red comb/wattle thing doesn't seem to apply. I will say that her comb has suddenly become visible--popped out of the fur on her head. Is this a sign? Any other signs for silkies specifically?

 

[paddock36]

I know this is going to sound bad, but the only way I could tell is when I found an egg.

 

[zoomia]

That is what I was afraid of.