How much longer til I get some eggs??

msisco389

In the Brooder
Apr 8, 2015
50
4
33
Sussex, NJ
I have 10 pullets going on 15 weeks old. I was figuring they still have a little while but the biggest pullet seems to developed a nice red comb and waddles within the last few days while the others still have yet to get any waddles and their combs are still dull.... Looking for some opinions on how much longer I have til I need to peek around for eggs!
400
This is the hen mentioned above
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And here's a RIR same age
 
Those are some pretty chickens!

Chickens don't start laying until around 6 months of age, some breeds laying sooner than others (heavier breeds take longer than lighter ones on average). A bright red comb signals that they are getting ready to lay (or they are a rooster).
The top picture looks like it may be that of a Red Star, which start laying earlier than many other breeds, which could explain the larger comb.


Best of luck!
 
Those are some pretty chickens!

Chickens don't start laying until around 6 months of age, some breeds laying sooner than others (heavier breeds take longer than lighter ones on average). A bright red comb signals that they are getting ready to lay (or they are a rooster).
The top picture looks like it may be that of a Red Star, which start laying earlier than many other breeds, which could explain the larger comb.


Best of luck!
Thank you!!

Guess I have a little more waiting to do, haha! This is my first flock so it's all a learning experience!
She is actually a red ranger so she's a meat bird/ dual purpose but they do look a lot like red stars from what I've seen in pictures. :) I'll be keeping her, hopefully she is a good layer!
 
I have a mixed flock with varying age range, my Golden Comet which is one of my smallest hens just started laying on Fathers Day and has layed everyday since...she is 19 weeks. My oldest are 20 weeks, they are BO and I have one EE that doesn't even have a really developed comb....I am no expert but I say you still have 2-3 more weeks.

I knew one was getting ready to lay when she made a nest in the nesting box instead of the scattered material placed in it.

Good luck the first egg is so exciting.
 
I have a mixed flock with varying age range, my Golden Comet which is one of my smallest hens just started laying on Fathers Day and has layed everyday since...she is 19 weeks. My oldest are 20 weeks, they are BO and I have one EE that doesn't even have a really developed comb....I am no expert but I say you still have 2-3 more weeks.

I knew one was getting ready to lay when she made a nest in the nesting box instead of the scattered material placed in it.

Good luck the first egg is so exciting.
Thank you!! I can hardly wait! I will definitely have to keep an eye out for the nest making! They all free range all day when I am home, should I be keeping them in the run connected to the coop as they get closer so they don't learn to lay in the bushes?
 
Chickens sometimes lay outside, but I rarely have this problem. They seem to like the dry, secure nest boxes. Some individuals are more prone to it then others.
They tend to lay in the morning, so keeping them locked up in the morning will help them learn to lay in the nest boxes.
 
Thank you!! I can hardly wait! I will definitely have to keep an eye out for the nest making! They all free range all day when I am home, should I be keeping them in the run connected to the coop as they get closer so they don't learn to lay in the bushes?



I agree with Gita...my chickens happened to be free ranging the day my hen started laying. I went to check on them and she was missing..when I had looked everywhere she could be I checked the run and there she was in the nesting box as quiet as can be. So I say it just depends...some mornings I keep them in the run and coop area but my laying hen gets it I am just worried the other ladies may not....hang in there it will happen....
 
Agrees......wouldn't hurt to leave keep them confined to coop and run until they learn to use the nests.
Put some fake eggs and/or golf balls in a few of the nests as 'bait'.
 
*** update *** need some more help on this
The hen I wrote about was spending a little time in the nesting box this afternoon. She was moving around the hay and then squatting repeatedly, going from one box to the other. She eventually stopped, and she is now roosting in her normal spot with the other girls but she is squawking VERY LOUD while roosting and seems to be panting. It's not that hot today/tonight and none of the others are panting....is this normal behavior for a possible first time layer or is she having trouble????
Also, we did remove the rooster that was in her coop due to harassment today..... (Have discovered I'm not a big fan of roosters) so he is now in the coop next to them by himself, could she be upset he's not there? She is with the other 9 hens she is normally with and she definitely didn't seem to like the rooster when he was with them.... But I've heard they will sometimes mourn could this be it?
 

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