Ready to lay?

[Island Juli]

Does my pretty

girl look old enough to be laying yet?

She is around 6.5 months old. I have 3 like her, and one has a much redder face. The other 2 look just like this.

Trying to figure out whose not laying. I'm getting max 4 eggs a day from 7 who I think should be laying.

Thanks!
Juli

 

[disneyguy]

Tough to tell from the picture, though at 6.5 months she definitely should be getting close!

 

[Pork Pie]

Her comb is certainly bright red, and i assume that she squats for you? If so, i'd say she will begin to lay any time soon.

CT

 

[aart]

Not all birds lay every day...can depend on breed.

Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
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.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.