Waiting impatiently

[nhgrl8]

I have several hens this size (not sure age) any chance of my first eggs soon?

 

[Pork Pie]

I guess its pure speculation, but the hen in the photo looks a little young to be laying (assuming the average hen will start laying 5-6 months). I have three young hens - two of them started laying at 5.5 months and the other one has not yet begun. You will know when they want to begin to lay as they will become more vocal than usual and keep going to the nest boxes (and then getting out without laying).

 

[aart]

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 on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[nhgrl8]

I believe she was hatched May 4th

 

[desertrocks]

All of our girls were hatched in April and May. It is still really hot and are showing red off and on during. It is almost like a thermometer. Nice and red in the morning but not so much in the afternoon when it is 105+. Patience, patience, patience.

 

[AZGurl]

All of our girls were hatched in April and May. It is still really hot and are showing red off and on during. It is almost like a thermometer. Nice and red in the morning but not so much in the afternoon when it is 105+. Patience, patience, patience.

Our 2 EE's and 2 RR were hatched April 1. As of last week, only one of our EE's are laying but only one every 30-36 hrs. All have red combs. I'm so impatient!

 

[desertrocks]

Our 2 EE's and 2 RR were hatched April 1. As of last week, only one of our EE's are laying but only one every 30-36 hrs. All have red combs. I'm so impatient!

Now multiply that impatience X6 as we are waiting for the first of 23 to start. Our EE was hatched first week of April.