How long until eggs?

[Chick whisper]

Hi, I am a first year chicken owner. I have 6 RIR hens and 2 of the hens have really bright red combs and wattles. I've read on almost all sights that this means that eggs will be here soon. The thing is is that they are only 14.5 weeks old. Does this mean that eggs are soon or what? I have know idea. Thanks for help.

 

[whidbey woman]

Our girls are 20 weeks old today and we just got our first egg today. We have 3 RIR, 1 barred rock and 2 of a breed I'm not sure of (also 2 other smaller breeds). The larger birds have been really red for about a month now. They just started doing the squat when we get near them (mostly the barred rock) about a week ago. I think the squat is a good indicator from what I have read on here.

 

[Chick whisper]

Thank you soooo much. I've been trying to find a timeline of when the comb turns red until the first egg and I couldn't find one.

 

[krista74]

My 4 RIR girls started laying around the 22-24 week mark. That being said, it's Winter here so that may have held them off a little.

Whilst some chickens do lay earlier, generally most are at least 18 weeks old. Your girl certainly looks red, but I think her comb and wattles could still plump out a bit.

You never know, she might surprise us all and lay tonight, but my best bet would be another month or so!

You could certainly start getting some nest boxes ready for her to look at though. They like to investigate the boxes, hop in and out and flick straw everywhere. If she starts doing that, and squatting, your eggs won't be far away.

Good luck!

- Krista

 

[Chick whisper]

Ya, I opened the nesting boxes up a few days ago. I haven't seen them going in them much, but they are free range chickens. Hopefully they start checking them out.

 

[Chick whisper]

So I just saw that one of my hens is squatting for me!!! They are 15 weeks old today. How much longer until eggs would you guess?

 

[lazy gardener]

If you see the squatting behavior daily, you can expect eggs within 2 weeks.

 

[Chick whisper]

I'm 14 so I don't know these things, but I get the hen to squat by putting my hand on her back. Should it just be when I'm walking up to her and/or putting my hand out?

 

[lazy gardener]

Generally, she will squat when you approach her.

 

[Chick whisper]

Ok thank you!