How to Tell When Pullets Are Ready to Lay First Eggs

[Ilovefarming]

Hi!! Does anybody know how to tell when pullets are ready to lay their first eggs? I have 2 that are around 20 to 22 weeks. They both have very mature feathers (could be a little glossier though) and their combs are pretty small. How else do you tell when they are mature enough to lay first eggs? (besides looking at feathers and combs.)

Thank you!

Ilovefarming

 

[SMonroe1990]

If you go to pet the pullet and it squats down and starts to spread its wings out that means it is close to laying. It is hard to tell how long after they start this when they lay eggs. It is usually a couple weeks I believe.

 

[azygous]

Are they "playing house" in the nest boxes? Going in there and messing around, making a mess?

Are their combs bright red yet, or still light pink? They don't always start squatting before they lay, but their combs always turn bright red, and playing in the nest boxes precedes laying by two or three weeks.

 

[aart]

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying or close to it.

 

[Ilovefarming]

If you look at my avatar there is a picture of one of them. Is that considered red enough.....?

 

[azygous]

Still appears more pink than red. When their combs and wattles turn red, you'll know it. They also become a little larger and more moist looking.

If you're in the northern hemisphere, you will soon notice the days getting longer. So will the pullets. When that happens, it triggers their hormones. Then the eggs will begin popping out.

You'll have eggs very soon!

 

[aart]

The red comb and wattle thing is not always accurate in my experience......

.....my best layer(49, 34 and now 14 daily eggs with only one day off between stretches) has more of a pinkish comb as do a one or two others who lay regularly.

 

[WthrLady]

When an egg comes out?

Sorry...lol....no sleep.

One day they'll just surprise you. Age, breed, season, all play a factor. When nature is involved all bets are off.

 

[Ilovefarming]

I'll let you know when they lay their first eggs!

 

[WthrLady]

Variation of what my obgyn said when i asked abt an impending baby... lol...

But seriously, i have three 24 weekers...it's winter...it's dark out