Is mating a reliable sign of a hen starting to lay.

[BY Chicken Lady]

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I'm sure it does. I think I got lucky. It's 20 weeks and she is still the only one to lay. I've got another hen starting to squat so I'm hoping to start getting more eggs soon.

My 20 week and 3 day old pullet allowed mating by my rooster just yesterday. I am hoping she will start laying soon. She and a few of her coop sisters of the same age have been spending lots of time checking out the nest boxes lately. My rooster is the same age but has been fertilizing my young hen, (my only layer) since he was 13 weeks old. I have two baby chicks from those matings.

You have given me reason to be on active watch for more than my one daily egg from my young hen. Thank you!

 

[RcoM]

The answer was... two days! She laid her first egg July 20th Thanks for the responses everyone!

Interesting! I have noticed that mine are laying a week or two after mating