Who will lay first?

[Elitefarm]

I just thought it would be fun to guess who will lay first and how much longer all pullets are 19 weeks old yesterday so excited for eggs!
Delta:
Echo:
Heidi Plume:
Hawk Eye:
Lana Del Lay:
Eggy Azelia:
Frizzy McGuire:
Hillary Fluff:

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The best clue is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. They won't lay until that space is 2 or more fingers width. Eggs can't pass through a smaller space. Those with wider space will be first to lay, those with under a 2 finger width aren't ready yet.

 

[Elitefarm]

The best clue is to check the space between the pointy pelvic bones. They won't lay until that space is 2 or more fingers width. Eggs can't pass through a smaller space. Those with wider space will be first to lay, those with under a 2 finger width aren't ready yet.

Haha I tried and don't really know how to check? I thought you could usually tell by comb color too?

 

[aart]

Heidi Plume:

She looks the closest.

I tried and don't really know how to check?

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Elitefarm]

Thank you! I'll have to go try this Heidi was my guess too!

 

[PirateGirl]

So far Heidi is the only one that looks close, like she may lay within the next 2 weeks close

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Haha I tried and don't really know how to check? I thought you could usually tell by comb color too?

In general, a larger brighter red comb and wattles suggest sexual maturity. When they molt (or any time they go out of lay), the comb will lighten and shrivel.
But that isn't always the case.
I had an Orpington hen that never developed a large red comb but still laid very well. It was tiny and pink her whole life. I also had a Penedesenca hen this past winter with a huge dark red comb all winter, even while she took off 4 months from laying.

Here is a better description of the technique in an article by @aart .
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Elitefarm]

Based on the finger with the bones test Heidi and echo are both 2 finger between the pelvic bones and 4 fingers from the pelvic bones to the breast bone
Then Delta, then Lana and hawk both tied and the rest are 1 by 2 they'll never lay

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If laying is imminent, the between pelvic bone test is the one to use.
For propensity to be a productive bird, the pelvic to keel space is the check. However, for the latter to mean anything, they must be all the same breed and same age.

 

[MillersFarm]

My money's on Echo