New to Silkies...are there signs that they are ready to lay an egg??

[kfisher123]

I'm new to chickens.....we have 6 silkies that are almost 5 1/2 months old. I know they all vary in terms of when they lay but I'm wondering if there are any outward signs of if they are getting near? Do they start knitting little egg blankets? Start buying onesies? Clean the coop obsessively?

These crazy girls, I just wish I knew what they were up to!

 

[LilBizzy]

I had 3 silkies, and I swear, I had no clue if they were boys or girls until they were around a year old. One went broody, so I knew she was a gal. I saw the rooster on the other.
The 3rd one I was almost sure she was a male because I saw her and the rooster chest bumping often. Turns out she was a girl- she just didn't care for the rooster and his silly advances.

 

[oldorchardfarms]

one sure signs i they will start checking out your nesting box, Or you will see them checking out your other chickens eggs.

 

[johnsons-r-us]

I don't know anything about silkies, so forgive the question.....but do the pullets get red combs and wattles like the other breeds when they get close to laying?

 

[JodyJo]

here is my silkie...and I am assuming her egg, (I only have one other white egg layer and its a Calif White, who lays daily, one nice med white egg)

NO egg since...didn't even know it was a hen! She is 32 weeks now....she laid this egg about 3 weeks ago....

NO indication of what she was....darn silkies!
and as you can see....dark comb...NO RED!

 

[johnsons-r-us]

Ok, that answers that! I have a white silkie bantam that was thought to be a cockerel. He still isn't crowing. But has a nice red comb

I'm still hoping he'll lay and egg

who knows......I don't even know what color his (I guess if there was an egg it would be a her) egg would be. But smaller than my others so I think I would be able to tell.

Nice girl you have there!

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
I "think" they lay white eggs.....good luck, mine is just a peewee walking around eating...an ornament!

 

[Bryam]

Cool! My silkies are not kaying at 6 months old! Silly birds!

 

[MyraE]

My black silkie hen didn't start laying until she was about nine months old. She's not great laying during the "regular" season but will crank out one every other day when all the other full size girls have stopped completely because of the shorter days. She's my winter layer and summer brooder. She lays a light cream colored egg.