Is there signs that a hen is ready to lay?

[ticks]

Like red comb or other stuff like that.

 

[digitS']

Red comb - yes, and a real interest in a nest.

Steve

 

[Matt A NC]

Red comb and wattles is one that everyone looks for.

If you pet your chickens quite a bit then they will probably start squatting for you a week or 2 before the first egg. This the squat a hen does so the rooster can get on. Hard to describe, but you will know what it is when you see it.

Matt

 

[ticks]

digitS' :

Red comb - yes, and a real interest in a nest.

Steve

Ok, I should build a couple nest boxes then
I wasn't expecting eggs for a while.
They have rerd wattles and comb.
What time of day do they lay?​

 

[luckychic]

They lay at all different times of the day. Two of mine usually lay between 11am (this is early though for them) and about 3pm - rarely after three, but sometimes. I have heard that the average is about 25 hrs between eggs. Some friends of mine have eggs first thing in the morning and my mom gets eggs between 9am and 1pm. So, you'll just have to see what your girls prefer.

Also, one of my girls is not laying yet - anytime. But she has been showing the anytime signs for a couple of weeks - so be prepared that they could go through the I'm about to lay an egg motions for a while before they get it together. And the first eggs may not be what you expect. I think that some of the girls need to have some practice eggs. And, also look for them to just drop it in the run, especially if they don't have any examples to follow.

Good Luck. Collecting the eggs NEVER gets old! Like presents every day
Cynthia

 

[Chirpy]

How old are the pullets in question? Which breeds? I see you have Red Sex-links in your sig. They usually start laying around 17 weeks old, I've heard some start a little sooner.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Yes, egg squatting is a big ole giveaway.

 

[ticks]

Quote:
They are almost 18 wks. Will they lay on the ground?

 

[Chirpy]

Oh boy... you better get those nest boxes made right away!! You do want your pullets to start, from day one, to lay in their appropriate nest boxes. It can be hard, sometimes, to reteach them to lay in a nest box. Yes, they will lay their eggs on the ground or wherever their little hearts desire. Sometimes, they even do that when they have wonderful nest boxes. People encourage their pullets to use the nest boxes by putting a golf ball or fake egg in the nest box. Once the girls start laying in the nest boxes, you can remove the golf ball or fake egg.

You should be getting an egg any day now from those sex-links.

 

[moodusnewchick]

do fake eggs have to be white or could they be those wonderful plastic easter eggs?