I need to see a picture

[Southern28Chick]

Does this sound stupid? My girls are 13 weeks old. I want to know what a pullet looks like when they start laying. You know like the size of their comb and the color and such. I know I have a while to go but I want to know what to look for.

 

[ozark hen]

no stupid questions Trisha! First I have four barred rocks and five E.E.'s they are almost sixteen wks. The b.r. combs are getting very red as is the area around their faces. My b.r. roo has been crowing for about two weeks now and he is almost as big as my light brahma roo. I see where people who own r.r's are already getting eggs around now so keep a good eye out.

Mine are not laying yet but I am watching every day now.

 

[Southern28Chick]

At 13 weeks should I get the nest boxes ready? I have 1 barred rock that is squatting (sometimes) and she has a very red face, comb and wattles. Her face is 10 times redder than my other barred rocks.

 

[ozark hen]

wow, really? You had better have those nests ready.

she may be ready way sooner than anyone expected.

 

[chickenwoods]

Besides the Rosey redness of the combs,i noticed a dramatic change in comb size,before laying.and growth of earlobes.(that fleshy stuff under the ear canal)
My birds started laying 19 weeks,then another at 20,and now at 22 weeks i have a third.

 

[HobbyChickener]

You can tell by their combs? What else can you see as a early sign eggs are on the way?

 

[LynnGrigg]

Quote:
Southernchick, your chickens must be about the same age as mine. Mine will be 13 weeks on Monday. I read somewhere in this site that 16 weeks is about the earliest that any breed will lay. Mine are EEs, Buff Orps, Red Star, Partridge Rock and Wyandotte. Their combs and waddles are getting larger and beginning to turn more red. I've noticed that they have be much more curious about the nesting boxes(not just scratching the straw around in search of food) and the Roo is beginning to dance for them and offer them treats. I'm still not really expecting eggs until September. Get your boxes ready anyhow. The girls need to see that they have a suitable place to lay eggs. -hopefully where you want them to!-Lynn

 

[thndrdancr]

This is my Red Sex link hen, she just started laying last Saturday at 16 1/2 weeks and this pic was taken last week, so right around the time she layed.

She had started squatting when I would pet her about 3 weeks before. I knew the day she was gonna lay, cuz she got frantic, ran the fence (she never does that), cried a different sound, and actually begawked and clucked, and that was the first (and only) cluck I have heard from her, the first two days she layed. Also, her behind looked fuller and rounder about 3 days ahead of it. I commented to hubby an family that she was lookin full around the hiney and was about ready to lay I thought, and sure enuff, two days later....

This is a before picture...you will notice also the first picture, right at point of lay, she stands with her chest stuck out more now. Like she is a proud lady, she never did that before...this was before...see the dif in how she stands with her chest...

In my case, I could tell more by her back end, instead of the comb/face. She got red several weeks ahead of time...this pic was taken the night before she layed her egg, so you might see what I mean, she looks a bit like a lady with bloomers. lol

her face...no indication for me...

Hope this helps a bit...you have to pay REAL close attention to your chickens in order to notice it.
Jill

 

[Southern28Chick]

Thanks for the pictures. Yeah her behind does look like she's wearing bloomers.

 

[thndrdancr]

I am just sorry I dont have "before" and "after" pics.