How will I know they are ready to lay eggs?

[kostfarm]

Our chickens are about 14 weeks old. How will I know they are ready to lay? Do they give you any signs of just when the eggs show up?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Their combs and wattles will get large and turn red. The space between their pelvic bones will expand to two finger width or more. The vent will become moist. They'll start exploring the nest box about a week before the first egg.
Depending on breed, you probably have 6+ weeks to go.
That will put you at the end of August. With declining day length, that often adds quite a bit of time.

 

[pauleberly]

Mine also started to squatt down when I got near them. After that she laid in 1 week

What kind of chickens do you have? My first one laid week 14, day 4. All my other sexlinks are squatting now on week 15 day 2

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I didn't mention squatting cause they don't all do that. Hens with roosters almost never squat.

 

[kostfarm]

I have 6 sex links and 1 barred rock. 18 weeks old. Haven't seen any squatting

Mine also started to squatt down when I got near them.  After that she laid in 1 week

What kind of chickens do you have?  My first one laid week 14, day 4.  All my other sexlinks are squatting now on week 15 day 2