Is there signs that a hen is ready to lay?

[chicknma]

From what I have read , when they are ready they will lay where ever they like. Hopefully it will be in their nest box!! Mine are only 14 weeks, I cant wait to get my first egg. In a couple weeks I plan on keeping them in their run so they will use their nest boxes. Hopefully, that's the plan.

I was excited to get my first egg too! I had to preserve it and it sits on a stand on the kitchen counter! lol

 

[obsessed2013]

My chickens are 21 weeks. Today I went out to their coop and notice my BR acting funny and in the corner. So, I picked her up and put her in the nesting box. My BSL started singing the egg song and in runs our rooster. He jumps in a nesting box and starts making all kinds of noises. The BSL climbs in with him. after a awhile he hops out and is still making laying noises. All the other hens are gathering around like he is teaching them what to do. Roo school! He is just awesome with his girls. Still no eggs

 

[obsessed2013]

so eggcited! I got my first egg and it is perfect yet small! Doesn't register on scale

 

[NCChickLovers]

When my older girls started laying, our Red Star seemed to Automatically know where was a good spot to lay. At the time, they didn't have nesting boxes or older chickens to follow the example of. As soon as we put in some nesting boxes, the Red Star went straight for them and started laying in them. Our GSL doesn't always lay inside the nesting boxes, but she usually does. We also have a White Rock who we think is getting ready to lay, at almost 17 weeks. Her Comb has started turning red and she's bigger than the older girls. Our Roo doesn't seem to get excited when the older girls lay, but maybe he'll be more active with the younger ones?

 

[lulu420]

My Olive Egger is about 5 months old now and has recently taken to sitting on the ground in random places, instead of on the roosts with the other girls. She's also definitely getting that "BAAAAWK!!!" going. Do you think she's almost ready? She doesn't have a red comb or waddle--her comb pinkish I guess, but she doesn't even have a waddle.

 

[undine]

Does a hen usually act "lethargic" before laying her first egg? i have a buff orpington that's 15 weeks old and it looks like her movements are slowing down, not really but she hasnt been as active as before. She still eats and drinks but anything too extreme like.. jumping up too roost at night, or jumping up at a high place of hanging veges..shed try to stay away from.

 

[ohju1ia]

For the people asking about what their pullets should look like before they start laying. Both of these girls started laying today! Same day, 27 weeks old, right in the best box! Imagine that!

 

[ohju1ia]

These are the the two little eggs I found today!

 

[Sandstorm495]

Does a hen usually act "lethargic" before laying her first egg? i have a buff orpington that's 15 weeks old and it looks like her movements are slowing down, not really but she hasnt been as active as before. She still eats and drinks but anything too extreme like.. jumping up too roost at night, or jumping up at a high place of hanging veges..shed try to stay away from.

If she is 15 weeks old, I doubt that she will be laying for a while yet. I would suggest watching her for a couple of days closely, to see if she get's any worse.

 

[Sandstorm495]

For the people asking about what their pullets should look like before they start laying. Both of these girls started laying today! Same day, 27 weeks old, right in the best box! Imagine that!

Great! The average for hens to start laying is 6 months, although Leghorns and Stars will usually start laying earlier. You must be so proud of your chooks for laying those eggs today!