Pelvic bones, laying soon????

diana507

Chirping
Apr 9, 2015
410
21
89
Central Maine
I know I have heard when my pullets are close to laying you can fit 2 fingers between their pelvic bones but then I just read a few articles that said when they start laying or close you can fit one finger and farther on in the laying process they will spread to fit 2 fingers. Anyone know which it is? I hoping for an egg soon.
 
What age is your hen? Is her comb turning bright red? What breed is she?

I've never tried doing that specific test, so I can't help you there. Sorry.

Best of luck! Hope you get eggs soon!
 
None of these are absolute, but can give some good clues.
I've found the pelvic bones to be the most accurate.


Signs of onset of lay---
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.
 
What age is your hen? Is her comb turning bright red? What breed is she?

I've never tried doing that specific test, so I can't help you there. Sorry.

Best of luck! Hope you get eggs soon!

They are a little over 14 weeks old. Isa Browns. Here's a couple pictures that don't really show how red they are. Lighting was bad. I just don't want to open the nesting boxes too early.
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That's a pretty chicken!

Laying breeds such as herself, if they were given plenty of food, should begin laying at 16-20 weeks of age. You should be expecting eggs soon! Signs including a brightening and swelling of the comb and squatting behavior (like they are trying to lay an egg).

Best of luck!
 
That's a pretty chicken!

Laying breeds such as herself, if they were given plenty of food, should begin laying at 16-20 weeks of age. You should be expecting eggs soon! Signs including a brightening and swelling of the comb and squatting behavior (like they are trying to lay an egg).

Best of luck!

Squatting is about submitting for mating/dominance..... not about expelling an egg.
Chickens actually sit until the egg is about to come out, then they stand up to expel it.


I just don't want to open the nesting boxes too early.
I wouldn't worry about opening them too soon at 14 weeks, especially for high production birds who may start laying at 16 weeks.

It's a good time to test out your nests and get them in the habit of NOT roosting in them (roosting/sleeping in nests = poopy nests/eggs).
Nests should be about a foot lower than the roosts, they like to roost in the highest place possible.
Put some fake eggs and/or golf balls in a couple of them.

Those combs and wattles can get bright red then pale back out (driving you nuts!) with excitement/exertion then calmness/relaxation.
 
They have a huge feeder and get veggies. They are never without food and fresh water. Some of them are still pale colored while other are red like the 2 I posted pics of. I have 12.
 
Squatting is about submitting for mating/dominance..... not about expelling an egg.
Chickens actually sit until the egg is about to come out, then they stand up to expel it. 


I wouldn't worry about opening them too soon at 14 weeks, especially for high production birds who may start laying at 16 weeks.

It's a good time to test out your nests and get them in the habit of NOT roosting in them (roosting/sleeping in nests = poopy nests/eggs).
Nests should be about a foot lower than the roosts, they like to roost in the highest place possible.
Put some fake eggs and/or golf balls in a couple of them.

Those combs and wattles can get bright red then pale back out (driving you nuts!) with excitement/exertion then calmness/relaxation.

a few of them are just starting to turn red the others stay red. They aren't really squatting much. But their starting to change behavior some. I know eggs are coming soon. I am excited just thinking about finding the first one! I keep giving them pep talks that I don't think are working. Lol I gotta get some hay for their boxes then I will definitely open them up. It was my plan yesterday but it down poured alot of the day. My nests are shorter then the roost and poop boards and I plan on checking on them and moving them need be after I get them open. Thank you for responding your always so helpful.
 
Quote: Your'e welcome...I have some pullets about to lay too, it's still pretty exciting even tho they are not my first.
I prefer straw to hay....less likely to mold, it holds together well if pulled off the bale in a flake..... and hay is food, so they might prefer eating it to nesting in it :D
Have Fun! Don't be too impatient.
 

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