Squatting Behavior

[ChickenMama0330]

Hi All!

I noticed one of my leghorns and one of my RIR's are just starting to squat. How long do you think til they lay? One of my RIR's was squatting and laid her first egg about a week later. Not sure about the leghorn though. They are all around 18 1/2 weeks old. Any ideas or guesstimations are appreciated. I know I should just be patient, but it's so hard!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

If they are squatting, then laying is very close.

RIR and Leghorns mature faster, so if the comb is bright red, and they are squatting, begin to look for eggs in odd places.

Congratulations.
LofMc

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is hard. Wait until you have to wait 9 months for the first in a group of three to lay an egg. That was the first week of December, the shortest days of the year and still getting shorter. That broke all the rules, I guess, or shows there are no rules.

There are a few clues they might possibly be close to laying, squatting is one. I hate to say signs because they are more clues than anything assured. I once saw a 13 week old pullet willingly squat for a young cockerel, no hesitation whatever. It was close to two months before she laid her first egg. So I don't consider it an absolute sign.

But like bright red combs and wattles, a moist vent instead of dry and tight, or the distance between pelvic bones, it is a good clue, especially with their ages. I'd probably pay more attention to the color of the combs and wattles, but squatting is a good thing. Good luck!

 

[ChickenMama0330]

If they are squatting, then laying is very close.

RIR and Leghorns mature faster, so if the comb is bright red, and they are squatting, begin to look for eggs in odd places.

Congratulations.
LofMc

ThankS! My RIR that's laying (Nutmeg) is laying in the nesting box, I put three golf balls in there and she lays everyday right next to them, so hopefully the others will lay there too

 

[aart]

Squat to laying could be days or weeks.
Here's some other tips about.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/