Pullet submitting to breeding before first lay

[ChelsisChooks]

I just saw my 2.5 yr old Columbian wyandotte Rooster breed my Easter Egger Pullet. She lay still for him to breed her. I have not had any eggs from her yet (or any of the 3 pullets in with him). Does this indicate at all that she should lay soon? I do not have them under lights.

 

[Ted_Harrell]

I don't have an opinion on this, but for the others to weigh in on this, how old is your Easter egger pullet and the other 3 pullets that are in with him?

 

[feathermaid]

Pullets will only squat submissively when they're close to laying, it's a telltale sign. First year pullets will usually lay eggs through their first and usually 2nd winter without supplemental lighting, especially if they start before fall. Depending on age, the shortening daylight in winter can delay them a while longer but they they still usually start anytime between now and January. I did have one May-hatched pullet that didn't start laying until the following March, she was 43 weeks old!

 

[Shadrach]

I would take that as a sign the pullet is close to laying an egg.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Does this indicate at all that she should lay soon?

Maybe, maybe not.

Mating is often more about dominance that fertilizing eggs, though a mature rooster should be worrying about dominance a lot less than an immature cockerel would. I've seen a 13 week old pullet willingly squat for a 13 week old cockerel. She did not start to lay for another 6 to 8 weeks. She was being submissive to his dominance, which is a bit unusual even for a pullet a month older than her. So it is not a guarantee that she will drop an egg tomorrow or the next day.

Still its a good sign. A good mature rooster should not be mating a pullet that isn't close to ready. It happens, some mature roosters aren't that good. Hens give off some signs that the eggs need to be fertilized that the rooster can recognize, things like the comb and wattles turning bright red. These are the ones a good one should be turning his attention to.

Also, a pullet is more likely to willingly submit to a rooster when she is ready to lay. Until then they tend to run away.

All in all, it is a good sign. But it is not a guarantee.

 

[ChelsisChooks]

The Pullet is about 25 weeks. The other 2 are 23 weeks. So about 6-6.5 months. So should be soon I check everyday

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree, it's a very good sign that she's close to laying, but it's not a definite guarantee. If she's that old I would expect her to be pretty close. Can you post pictures of her?

 

[ChelsisChooks]

Her with her boyfriend. Last photo is them last week in my garden having a snuggle