Is my chicken gonna lay soon?

[Chickensarecool123]

Hi, I’m wanting to know if my chicken is going to lay sooner then we thought, for some background our pullet is 17 weeks old, getting close, I heard they typically lay at 18-24 weeks, but our pullet is showing some weird signs, as if she is going to lay VERY soon, she’s been laying down a LOT and even made a nest with her own feathers, only 5 right now but used to be 9, her comb and waddle, her face even is very red and my family thought she laid and egg because she was squatting very weirdly, like those videos of chickens laying eggs and standing but a bit lower, sadly we checked and no egg.

I wanted to know about how long do you guys think it’ll be a couple weeks, or something, I have a feeling these photos will be useless since I couldn’t get a close up or get her lying down, also we’re getting chicks soon do you guys think she’ll accept them as her own?(don’t worry we’ll be very careful for the chicks safety) sorry and thank you in advance!

You might not be able to see here but her face is red as a tomato, and her comb is kinda big.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You noticed good signs. If you are in the northern hemisphere, this time of year birds approaching POL (point of lay) tend to begin later than average cue to decreasing day length. Some don't even start till well after winter solstice.
You can check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. That is the best sign. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
There are always individuals that don't follow the norm. For example, I've had prolific layers that never developed bright red combs and wattles. Some birds will lay regardless of day length. Some won't even in the height of summer.

 

[Chickensarecool123]

You noticed good signs. If you are in the northern hemisphere, this time of year birds approaching POL (point of lay) tend to begin later than average cue to decreasing day length. Some don't even start till well after winter solstice.
You can check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. That is the best sign. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
There are always individuals that don't follow the norm. For example, I've had prolific layers that never developed bright red combs and wattles. Some birds will lay regardless of day length. Some won't even in the height of summer.

Well we’re in Texas and it’s REALLY hot right now, I dont know if that will mean she will lay sooner, also how would one check the pelvic bones, anyways thanks a ton~
edit: I looked more at the article, I don’t think my chicken will allow me to do that and run away, although I appreciate you giving me this article, for your birds were there any other tell tale signs?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’d say the best sign is a warm egg in the nest box.

@Chickensarecool123, I’d say your girl is very close. My BO wasn’t much older than yours when she started.

 

[Chickensarecool123]

I’d say the best sign is a warm egg in the nest box.

@Chickensarecool123, I’d say your girl is very close. My BO wasn’t much older than yours when she started.

Lol, thats good to know

 

[Mrs. K]

Truth of the matter, when you have completely given up hope of an egg, and have come to realize that somehow, you got a non laying chicken...well, a week later, you get an egg! We have all been there!

As for her accepting new chicks, the answer is not likely. However, if you add a lot of clutter to your coop, so that they have a safe zone. Where they can get to a safe place, she will probably ignore them mostly. In a week they get used to each other.

But she will not accept them as in put them under her and keep them warm.

Mrs K

 

[Chickensarecool123]

Truth of the matter, when you have completely given up hope of an egg, and have come to realize that somehow, you got a non laying chicken...well, a week later, you get an egg! We have all been there!

As for her accepting new chicks, the answer is not likely. However, if you add a lot of clutter to your coop, so that they have a safe zone. Where they can get to a safe place, she will probably ignore them mostly. In a week they get used to each other.

But she will not accept them as in put them under her and keep them warm.

Mrs K

Our coop is tiny so we let them free range but we’ll keep an eye out for bullying and work out matters if that happens, in the past when she was 7 weeks old we got chicks, and they got bullied a tad bit but eventually they all got along~