When to Expect the First Egg?

[saving grace]

My easter egger pullet is 18 weeks old next Tuesday. She's been showing signs of laying soon for almost 2 weeks now. She's been squatting when I go to pick her up, and her comb is bright red and full. I checked her pelvic bones which are over 2 fingers apart. I can tell her body has definitely been ready to lay for about a week now, but still no eggs. I'm starting to get a bit impatient since this is my first time waiting for pullets to lay!

A few days ago she showed a lot of interest in the nesting boxes; she cuddled down and made it all cozy, but she has lost all interest now. I don't think there's any use in adding fake eggs to the boxes since our older hens lay in them anyway. I don't feed my chickens layers ration, instead I feed them a starters/growers mix with oyster shells available at all times. I haven't seen the pullet eat or show any interest in the oyster shells so far.

When should I expect a first egg?

 

[bhaugh]

Any day

 

[saving grace]

Any day

I really hope so! I'll have to post a picture when it finally happens.

 

[CKfarm22]

Seems like anyday she can lay. Although you might be a little impatient to get that first egg, it will come when she is ready!

 

[Zoohtasim]

She might lay it ANYDAY!! My one was showing signs of laying like mating and interest in nest box for a some time. I thought she would lay eggs in a week or two. But nope! She laid her first one 2 days ago and 2nd one today!

 

[saving grace]

She might lay it ANYDAY!! My one was showing signs of laying like mating and interest in nest box for a some time. I thought she would lay eggs in a week or two. But nope! She laid her first one 2 days ago and 2nd one today!
View attachment 2792443

I'm glad to hear yours laid so soon. Two beautiful eggs! I'm hoping for a blue.

 

[saving grace]

My patience is draining.

I've been sticking one of the pullets in a nesting box and she loves it. She gets it all cozy and even sits in the position for laying an egg. She'll sit there for maybe 5 minutes then she'll leave the box and go back to day to day life. She's been doing this for a week now and I'm starting to think it'll never happen!

Me, every morning:
Waking up thinking there might be an egg. Finally.

Running to the coop to check.

Praying, praying, there is an egg.

Checking for an egg and... Nothing.

My emotions.


Me scolding the pullets. (Just a joke, don't worry.)


Hopefully soon it will be instead of .

 

[rosemarythyme]

You'll get your egg once you give up hope that it'll ever happen.

 

[saving grace]

Finally!! An egg!!

It's so, so small! This is it beside a red sex- link egg. (The bad lighting here makes it look completely different than it is.)

Here's the sweetie who layed it! Only 18 weeks old and I'm so proud of her!

 

[hunterduff]

Finally!! An egg!!
View attachment 2797966
It's so, so small! This is it beside a red sex- link egg. (The bad lighting here makes it look completely different than it is.)
View attachment 2797898

Here's the sweetie who layed it! Only 18 weeks old and I'm so proud of her!
View attachment 2797904

Congrats! Gorgeous girl. How exciting!!