My 4 and 1/2 months old Buff O. just squatted for me

[Outdoorlover]

I just went to pet my Buff O. (like I've always done) and she squatted!!! I wasn't expecting it, even though I've been waiting for this moment since I got my baby chicks! I'm so excited!!

She's been making weird sounds for a while and behaved stranger than usual these past week! I often wondered if she was hurting....I don't know how to help her!

The nesting boxes are ready to go, but still empty! I'm still debating what to put in them, and the more I read about it, the more confused I get!

How long do you think before she will lay her first egg?

 

[rIrs roost]

Soon possibly. Has her comb turned bright red. That's a sign that they are close.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

It really varies, as to when she will start laying. How red is her comb? My Ameraucana is squatting and mating but her comb is not yet red so I don't expect eggs quite yet and she is nearly six months old. My EE hen was squatting for two months before she started laying, whereas I've had other girls that start laying within a couple weeks after squatting.

I like hay in the nest box best. They don't scratch it out as quick as shavings or chopped straw (the kind at TSC).

 

[Wickedchicken6]

That's very exciting!!! It's close. It depends on the pullet.

I use shavings in my nest boxes with one golf ball in each.

 

[Outdoorlover]

Soon possibly. Has her comb turned bright red. That's a sign that they are close.

Her comb and wattles started growing and turning bright red about 2 weeks ago! Before then, she had a barely visible beige comb and no wattles what so ever! I cannot believe how quick she has changed!

Now I'm watching my B.A., her wattles just started to grow! She is a few days younger!

 

[Outdoorlover]

It really varies, as to when she will start laying. How red is her comb? My Ameraucana is squatting and mating but her comb is not yet red so I don't expect eggs quite yet and she is nearly six months old. My EE hen was squatting for two months before she started laying, whereas I've had other girls that start laying within a couple weeks after squatting.

I like hay in the nest box best. They don't scratch it out as quick as shavings or chopped straw (the kind at TSC).

Her comb is bright red! Will post pics later

 

[rIrs roost]

You'll have eggs soon then I'd think.

 

[Outdoorlover]

That's very exciting!!! It's close. It depends on the pullet.

I use shavings in my nest boxes with one golf ball in each.

Thank you!
That was one of my options, but I wasn't sure if golf balls were good enough!

 

[Outdoorlover]

You'll have eggs soon then I'd think.

Yay!!!
I hope she'll let me take her eggs, she's the leader of the flock of 4 and always behaved like a rooster!

 

[Outdoorlover]

You'll have eggs soon then I'd think.

This is what her comb looks like!