Maturity indication

[ChickenMammX4]

My girls are 12+ weeks, a little while yet from laying but I've been reading up on what to look for when laying is about to begin.

I have 3 different breeds, (3) Black Sex Link, (1) Black Jersey Giant & (2) Buff Orpington. The Black Jersey Giant's comb & wattle is red (not particularly large), both Buff Orpington have pink combs/wattles, 1 of the Black Sex Link's comb/wattle is grey (as is her face) the other 2 are yellowish pink.

Is this any indication as to who will start to lay first? And where they are maturity wise?

 

[azygous]

The ones with yellowish combs may be a ways yet from point of lay.

The ones with reddening combs, no matter the size, are much closer. In addition, watch for increased activity and exploration of the nest boxes. This is an important step toward laying. They are accustoming themselves with the laying boxes, and sort of "playing house" in them, making a big mess, tossing and scratching shavings or straw all over. It's important to make sure the nests are accessible and not covered at this stage.

When the pullets begin squatting as you come up behind them and reach down over their backs, laying is but just a week or so away. Also, if you have roosters or cockerels, they may begin attempting t mount the pullets. This is due to the pullets change in posture as they approach POL.

I

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Thank you for your reply.

The nesting boxes are in place but blocked-off so they wouldn't sleep in them. They roost at night and since the nesting boxes are lower than the roost bar, they probably wouldn't sleep in them now anyway. Is it OK to make the nesting boxes ready now?

 

[junebuggena]

If the combs are starting to redden, go ahead and let them have access to nest boxes. As long as the roosts are higher than the nest boxes and wide enough for their feet, they should prefer to sleep on the roosts instead of the nest boxes.

 

[aart]

Agrees, let them have access to the nests now.....and add some fake eggs or golf balls in some but not all nests.
Just check each night that they are not roosting in them, they probably won't but better to nip it in the bud right off the bat if they do contemplate it.

My 'new layer' notes:
New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

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.

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.