How many weeks until first egg?

[Meddipa]

Hey, I've been raising my first flock of 6 hens this spring. I went out to check on them today and noticed that in the past day or two my buff's comb and wattles and seemed to grow significantly and gotten much more bright red. I really thought she was quite a few weeks away from her first egg still, but based on this picture, how many weeks would you guess until she starts laying?

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

When the hens combs and wattles brighten it means they are sexually maturing and egg laying is NEAR!! Congrats

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Breeds and individuals vary a lot! I plan on five to seven months of age for my pullets, and had some (show bred) pullets start at eleven months of age! Time will pass, and eggs will come, when your girls are ready.
Mary

 

[lverner]

When our hens' comb started getting red like yours I thought we were close as well. They will get deep red when they are close. It's so cool to watch them mature isn't it????? Your first egg will be very exciting!! For you and her!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That bird looks a long way off to me. The comb is pinkish but not RED and not very large.
While that may be an indication in most cases, it isn't always definitive, I had an Orpington hen who never developed a large red comb yet laid very well. I also had a Penedesenca hen this past winter who molted in September and didn't lay again till February but her comb and wattles remained large and bright red throughout those months.
A better indication is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. When that widens to over 2 fingers width and the vent moist, laying will be imminent.

It would help us to know how old your bird is.

 

[aart]

That bird looks a long way off to me. The comb is pinkish but not RED and not very large.
While that may be an indication in most cases, it isn't always definitive, I had an Orpington hen who never developed a large red comb yet laid very well. I also had a Penedesenca hen this past winter who molted in September and didn't lay again till February but her comb and wattles remained large and bright red throughout.
A better indication is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. When that widens to over 2 fingers width and the vent moist, laying will be imminent.

It would help us to know how old your bird is.

Ditto All Dat^^^

Here's how to check pelvic points:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
Even pelvic spacing is not the be all end all, could still be a few weeks...
....IME when they start messing in the nests is when eggs are a week out.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2

I see them checking nests about a week ahead of time.

 

[Meddipa]

That bird looks a long way off to me. The comb is pinkish but not RED and not very large.
While that may be an indication in most cases, it isn't always definitive, I had an Orpington hen who never developed a large red comb yet laid very well. I also had a Penedesenca hen this past winter who molted in September and didn't lay again till February but her comb and wattles remained large and bright red throughout.
A better indication is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. When that widens to over 2 fingers width and the vent moist, laying will be imminent.

It would help us to know how old your bird is.

Oh she's very young still, just 14-15 weeks old. I really thought she had another month at least before her first egg, I was just so surprised to see her comb starting to change already! But I'm still new to all of this, so every little change in my flock is exciting and mystifying haha.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is exciting, especially when you're new. I've had over 30 different breeds. I only raise a single breed now that are Mediteraneans so they have huge combs and wattles. Cockerels are identifiable after a couple weeks but after a month to 6 weeks, sometimes the pullets combs will grow enough to fool me. Sometimes they are 4 months or so before they start growing but sometimes much earlier.

My favorite breed:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Penes/BRKPenes.html

 

[aart]

Oh she's very young still, just 14-15 weeks old. I really thought she had another month at least before her first egg, I was just so surprised to see her comb starting to change already! But I'm still new to all of this, so every little change in my flock is exciting and mystifying haha.

Those pullets can drive ya nuts.....they start getting a bit of color, but it can change with exertion and rest modes. Once they really go RED, you'll say... ohhhh, now I see!