just curious

[allie5983]

We got our babies from a local farm. But they couldnt say for sure how old they were. We havnt gotten any eggs yet and they do free range but go back in the coop at night by photo could any of you tell about how old they are and how much longer we have to go before eggs start appearing??

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[chicksurreal]

Could you get more of a close up of combs and wattles? That tells a lot about how close to egg laying they are.

 

[Tanichca]

First of all,

Second, watch their faces. Within a few weeks of laying eggs, the hens' faces will become bright red and their combs will grow quite large. They might spend more time in their nest boxes, even if not laying yet. And, if you gently turn one over and blow through the fluff, you'll see that their vent (the all-purpose eggs and mating and poo hole) is wet and kinda soapy-looking, lubricating itself to lay eggs. So just keep an eye on them for those signs.

 

[allie5983]

 

[allie5983]

 

[allie5983]

This is ella shes pretty much the darkest face out of the 4

 

[chicksurreal]

They look like they could be getting close. It's always so hard to wait for that first egg. Lol!

With my first flock of Silver Spangled Hamburgs I had to wait 26 weeks, but with my second flock of different breeds the first egg came at 20 weeks, so you never know until you see that egg!

 

[aart]

Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.

Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[allie5983]

Most defiantly been hard waiting for the first eggs. They have doubled in size since we brought them home but not much has changed in the color of the comb or otherwise.

 

[allie5983]

Baby ella laid her first egg!!!!! Never been so excited to open the coop