When will my 20week old sex-links begin to lay eggs? do i need a laying box?

[MckinneyTXBYC]

We have 6 sex links in total and 4 speckled sussex hens in total.
We bought our 4 sex links and 4 sussex at 1 week old the first of March.
The other 2 in the picture i am posting we bought a month ago and now they supposed to be 20 weeks old.
One is a sex link and the other is black sex link and from the picture and how red the comb and wattle is on one of them.
Maybe it will be close to time for laying eggs? do i need to get a laying box ready or what right now? Thanks

 

[Fred's Hens]

The red pullet in the photo doesn't look like a sex link to me. She has no white underwear that is typical of an RSL. She look every bit a production red. She'll begin lay any day, however, as would the BSL, if, if, they are really 20 weeks. The BSL in the background of your photo has no discernible comb or wattles swelling, however, which might very well mean that she isn't 20 weeks old, at least isn't in that photo.

Yes, it is time for laying areas to be opened to them. A golf ball or two works well as a "suggestion". Don't be surprised if all they do is scratch out the straw from the nests. They'll get the hang of things as time goes along.

 

[speckledhen]

That is not a sex link. That's a hatchery RIR or Production Red. They lay a bit later than most sex links, but that one does seem ready to go. Get the nest box ready.

 

[kcfuerst]

I would put a nest box somewhere where they can access it anytime they want. Chickens are smart, they'll figure out where to lay an egg.

 

[MckinneyTXBYC]

Here is a picture of all our hens together i took today, as you can see some of our sex links are getting a red comb and wattle.

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

They should be about ready to go Get the nesting boxes! Put some golf balls in them and they will take the hint when it's time.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

You guys are such a tremendous help. My 13 wk old Blk SL has a comb and waddle, much more than in photos but smaller? I have boxes around although they are free range. My 1.5 yr old Plymouths lay in a box, then in a nearby bush, in bush again...Stopped for a few days when Roos showed up, hee, hee.