Well if she was born in May that would make her about 5 months old now, right? From what I've been reading since I've been on this site is that pullets usually start laying between around 18-24 weeks old, Orpingtons usually in the middle to later side I think. Some of the heritage bred RIRs and stuff can be up into 30+ weeks. Anyways, I think that's the equivalent of around 4 or 5 months through to 6 months, or closer to 8 for the heritage ones as mentioned. That would mean she should start laying this fall/winter aka well before January. However, that said, it is also beginning to get darker earlier and less daylight hours (at least it is here, winter, don't know anything about Scotland) so it could very well be true that she may wait to lay until it starts getting lighter. It all depends on the bird. Some birds wait to lay until it starts getting warmer and the days get longer and others, especially the good production breeds, will just start laying as soon as they are ready, no matter the time of year. I've heard varying things on Orpingtons, some say they are only good, even fair, layers, and others say they are excellent. Some say 3-4 eggs a week while others get an egg a day or every other day just like any of the supposedly better laying breeds. All depends on the bird. Some people provide artificial light in winter to both extend the laying cycle (some birds slow down in winter) and/or to prompt them to begin laying if they are young enough to just start. I've also heard that chicks hatched in spring typically start laying in fall/winter, where it's getting dark, whereas chicks hatched in the fall usually start laying right around spring and the time it starts getting lighter and warmer out, which some say is better because then they will actually lay rather than possibly putting it off like some birds could do. That said, I think it is definitely possibly that she is going broody already. She is certainly old enough by now and Orpingtons especially can go broody quite frequently but that, again, depends on the bird. Some never do. You can look at her comb and general face area to maybe get an idea. Birds that are getting ready to lay will get bright red comb and face. They should also begin squatting when you approach (they do it with roos too, it's a submissive/"I'm ready to mate" thing) and there is a way to check the vent too. Somebody else will have to inform you about that as I'm not sure exactly what the method is, I'm just pretty sure that the opening gets bigger when they get closer to laying age. Now, we just got our first chicks 2 weeks ago so I don't really know any of this for sure but this is just what I have heard and picked up from being on here for years (love to research) so I try to help whenever I can since I have learned so much from being on here. Hopefully this helps you. Although, I've been typing this for so long now that I am sure somebody else has already replied by now but hopefully it still helps.
