Red Pullet or Cockerel? And when do they start laying?

[sfarrell3]

We have 5 hens that are all 15 weeks old. Four of them are red varieties...from what I've been told Production Red and Red Star. The fifth is an Easter Egger.

We also had 3 Red cockerels that we've gotten rid of. As soon as we got rid of them (about 3 weeks ago) one of the hens got noticeably bigger and her comb and wattles have also gotten much bigger and much more red. So, I'm trying to decide if she is really a he that was developing slower because there were so many other cockerels, or if she is really a she that is the mother of the flock. She hasn't tried crowing at all. Thoughts?

Also, when do Production Reds, Red Stars, and Easter Eggers tend to start laying? Could the redness be a sign of laying?

This is the "mother hen"


And here is a not-so-great picture of some of the other pullets, just to get an idea of the difference between them all.


Thanks!

 

[Vicky2479]

It's tail feathers do look to be more pointy than I would expect on a hen and the neck feathers aswel but i am no expert, the red could be a sign of a hen getting ready to lay. I would be interested to find out what others think too sorry I can't be more helpful

 

[Fred's Hens]

Some of those pullets are getting close. The faces turn fire red and the combs and wattles grow large and red. You may, sometimes, see squatting behavior as you walk near them. In any case, production reds and red sexlinks will begin to lay little pullet eggs at soon as week 17 or 18. Typically, however, it takes until week 20 for almost all of them to join the party. An individual or two, may even take a week or two longer. Beautiful birds.

 

[sfarrell3]

Just saw this...thank you for your reply! I keep thinking it's too early (they are 16 weeks today), but then I go watch them and I think they could start laying soon. The big one in the top picture has started digging holes in the dirt to sit in. And she and one other pullet make noise constantly. I finally went searching on You Tube to find out what the egg laying song is, and the noise they make sounds awfully similar. Out of the five, I think 2 of them are close to laying. They are constantly in and out of the coop. They just go in and walk around and then come back out, make some noise, and then go back in. Rinse and repeat. I don't want to get my hopes up, but it would great to get some eggs soon!

 

[sfarrell3]

We got our first 2 eggs this weekend!!! (at 16 weeks 6 days) The eggs are dark brown, so we're thinking they're from one of the Production Reds or Red Stars, but they're so so tiny, it makes me wonder. I've always heard the Reds lay jumbo eggs. Maybe they'll get bigger? Either way, we are so excited. Can't wait for the other 4 to start laying too!