Who's laying? When will the others follow?

[HughesFamily]

Hello All,

We have 4 hens that we got at about 2-3 days old in May. They are approx. 16 weeks old. This morning I found our first egg out in the coup. How do I tell who laid this egg? Also, should I expect the other girls to follow suit shortly, or does egg laying happen for different times for each hen? (Didn't know if one starting to lay affects the others or not). Also, a few other questions:

Do you eat their first eggs or do you wait until the second or third?
When should I switch their food from the starter?

Thanks all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If it isn't funky looking eat it, I don't usually switch food until about half are laying, and usually the first one to lay is suddenly quite vocal, she has a big mouth.

 

[HughesFamily]

Thank you so much!

 

[Mutt Farm]

Hi! Welcome!

If the hens are the ones in your avatar, they look like different breeds? If so, they will mature at different times. Hens that are laying or ready to lay will "squat" if you reach over them. https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=squatting
If only one squats for you, that's your girl.
If the eggs looks properly formed, it's fine to eat.
You should have free choice oyster shell available to them now for added calcium. They will eat it if they need it. You shouldn't switch to layer until they are all laying. Too much calcium for non layers isn't good. You don't ever "need" to switch so long as they have oyster shell. Good luck with your girls!



Copied from an old post:
Signs of onset of lay---
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.

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.

 

[aart]

.........

Copied from an old post:
Signs of onset of lay---
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.

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.

I've added a few things to those notes:

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.