Pullets Squatting but no eggs

[Matthew__]

I live in Sydney, Australia (it's Winter about 11 hrs daylight 7oCMin and around 23oC Max), I have a Crested Cream Legbar and an Australorp who have been squatting for weeks. Should I be getting worried that they may be egg bound? Or are the days too short? Both have red full combs and wattles.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Don't worry. It is the day length. It is after your winter's solstice so light period is increasing vis a vis daily dark period so that will stimulate the hormones to start ovulation.
I know people tout squatting as a sign of imminent lay but I don't put much stock in it.
I had a few hens that would squat years ago before I had a rooster running with each flock but haven't seen a squat in a long time with dozens of hens and 20+ eggs a day.
Squatting is a desire to breed, not that ovulation is imminent.
When the body prepares to ovulate, the space between the pelvic bones widens to allow an egg to pass. Check the distance between the pointy pelvic bones. If it is less than two fingers' width, an egg can't pass. If it is more than two fingers' width, laying is likely imminent.

 

[Matthew__]

Thank you for such a thorough reply! I went and check both birds today and there was about 2.5cm (inch) between them. I have them roaming around my backyard so I checked if they have been laying somewhere but no luck. I’ll keep them in the coop this week and see if an egg appears, otherwise it’s the sunlight or lack of.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

An inch isn't enough space for an egg to pass. They're not ready. How old are your pullets?

 

[Matthew__]

Around 23 weeks, it was the squatting for the last month that threw me off..

 

[aart]

Have been a great proponent of checking pelvic points...but I have a 21wo pullet now that's been at about 3 finger tips(~2") for a week or so and has been checking the nests last couple days, still no egg. Of course we are in decreasing daylight length. It's hard to wait.

 

[Matthew__]

Oh I’m constantly checking waiting for that first egg! Iv got them in the coop now until they lay... so they get used to the laying box. What are some good supplements when they are not free ranging?