Point of lay versus...?

[quiltnchik]

I checked the Learning Center and the chicken glossary, as well as did a Google search to see if I could find the answer, but no luck, so I'm coming here to ask.

I've heard people talk about "point-of-lay" chickens. What on earth does that mean? Does it mean they are at the "point of laying?" Also, what are the other options (point-of-lay versus what)?

 

[Kezzie]

Yes it means ready to lay. The alternative is not-yet-ready-to-lay.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Yep, usually POL vs. chicks

 

[onthespot]

yes, I use four terms. Chicks, Started, Well Started and Point of Lay.

Chicks for when they are not yet feathered out, still downy or partly downy. Started when they are more feathered out than not, Wells Started for any time from fully feathered until their combs start to turn colors for the girls, until they are ready to be used as a breeding rooster for the boys.

These I would still sell as chicks, because they still look like babies and need to be carefully brooded until they are older.

These I'd call started, plus a little.

This I'd call Well Started.

These I'd call point of lay, and roos soon to breed.