Open/Moist Vent and Squatting Well Before Laying?

[Dreammaker]

Hi,

I can't seem to find a consensus on this: How long after observation of an open, moist vent will a pullet start laying? I have a couple whose vents are like this who haven't laid (they're not free-ranging, so no hidden nests that I can tell). One has had her vent look like this for about 2-3 weeks, the other's I just noticed today as I was doing a weekly once-over.

On a similar note... How long can a pullet squat before laying? Most say 1-2 weeks, but is it possible to go on for months?

Thanks!

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi,

I can't seem to find a consensus on this: How long after observation of an open, moist vent will a pullet start laying? I have a couple whose vents are like this who haven't laid (they're not free-ranging, so no hidden nests that I can tell). One has had her vent look like this for about 2-3 weeks, the other's I just noticed today as I was doing a weekly once-over.

On a similar note... How long can a pullet squat before laying? Most say 1-2 weeks, but is it possible to go on for months?

Thanks!

This is much more accurate. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/?page=2

Some of my laying hens still don't squat for me. Those that have typically do lay 1-2 weeks after.

 

[aart]

Most say 1-2 weeks, but is it possible to go on for months?

Not likely.
Do you free range?
Are combs plump and very red?
Do you have any active layers to compare with the pullets(I assume-but how old in weeks?)

 

[Dreammaker]

Not likely.
Do you free range?
Are combs plump and very red?
Do you have any active layers to compare with the pullets(I assume-but how old in weeks?)

Combs - Of the 2 squatters in question, the 1st is getting a bit redder and plumper, but not huge (Lt Brahma; see pic). The 2nd is strange... she's a Mystic Marans with a small, mostly-black comb and wattles (see pic; she's just a tad redder today than in this pic from about 2 weeks ago).

I have 1 active layer--a Swedish Flower with a huge, floppy red comb and big wattles. She's always had a bigger comb. Didn't start squatting until after her 1st egg.

They are all approx 24 weeks (the Brahma may be closer to 28).

 

[Dreammaker]

BTW, aart--Props to you on the feeder design! It's been working wonderfully!

 

[aart]

Squatting can be just submissive, not necessarily 'ready to lay'.
Comparing the vent, and pelvic bone spacing, of the active layer with the others will tell you the tale.

 

[Dreammaker]

I will check her pelvic spacing again, as it's been a while. I thought the squat and big, open vent were surefire things. I'm learning and relearning so much as a new chicken-keeper!

 

[aart]

I will check her pelvic spacing again, as it's been a while. I thought the squat and big, open vent were surefire things. I'm learning and relearning so much as a new chicken-keeper!

Until I compared an active layers vent and a non laying birds vent, I didn't get the difference.

 

[Dreammaker]

Until I compared an active layers vent and a non laying birds vent, I didn't get the difference.

Yeah, I'm still learning. There are some non-layers in the flock whose vents are clearly not even close to POL--super small, tight, dry-looking. My layer's vent is so obviously different than hers.

I will get my eggs eventually, I suppose. The squatting and vent changes are torture though!

 

[cherrynberry]

Combs - Of the 2 squatters in question, the 1st is getting a bit redder and plumper, but not huge (Lt Brahma; see pic). The 2nd is strange... she's a Mystic Marans with a small, mostly-black comb and wattles (see pic; she's just a tad redder today than in this pic from about 2 weeks ago).

I have 1 active layer--a Swedish Flower with a huge, floppy red comb and big wattles. She's always had a bigger comb. Didn't start squatting until after her 1st egg.

They are all approx 24 weeks (the Brahma may be closer to 28).

Brahmas are known to lay later. Mystic Marans shouldn't have pea combs. They are a cross of a CM and BR.

Good luck on your pelvic test! I find that the web can be clueless sometimes. Especially since some people like to spread myths around like a wild fire. Definitely makes it harder when just getting into chickens.