How to tell if a Hen is ready to start laying.

[BlackDog26]

I have a few Rhode Island Reds that are 17 weeks old. How will I know when they are ready to lay?

 

[black_cat]

Their combs will get larger and redder, they will begin to squat when you reach down to pick them up, they will take interest in and mess around in the nesting boxes, and they will sing egg songs.

 

[sourland]

Combs and wattles will redden and enlarge, they will start squatting, space between pelvic bones will be 3 fingers wide.

 

[NatJ]

I have a few Rhode Island Reds that are 17 weeks old. How will I know when they are ready to lay?

Eggs are a pretty good sign...
In addition to the various points already mentioned

 

[FLXCHIX]

Eggs are a pretty good sign...
In addition to the various points already mentioned

Haha, I was going to say that! i discovered my first egg last week from my RIR. It was tucked in the Corner of the coop. For weeks I had been wondering when they would start laying.

 

[aart]

Here's some tips about....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[rumbleBee_STi]

basically, the way I can tell when my girls are going to lay soon is when their wattles are red & start dangling/flopping when they move.

 

[drinkoj]

It's all lies I tell ya, chickens don't lay eggs! Going on 19 weeks with my leghorns with bright red wattles and combs that flop to one side and no eggs yet. I am starting to believe chickens don't lay eggs but instead the easter bunny does.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Mc Murray claims brown leghorns start laying at about 6 months, so your birds are still quite young yet. Of course, I've seen other sources claiming much younger. Patience is all I can counsel. They seem to be on their own calendars, we can only talk broad averages.

 

[rumbleBee_STi]

Mc Murray claims brown leghorns start laying at about 6 months, so your birds are still quite young yet. Of course, I've seen other sources claiming much younger. Patience is all I can counsel. They seem to be on their own calendars, we can only talk broad averages.

One of my white leghorns started laying at 17 weeks. Not sure which hatchery she came from though. Also, I’m not sure if having a rooster helps speed things along too.