Whos laying?

[massiveme]

Is there anyway to tell whos laying other than "catching" them in the process?

 

[Wynette]

You can flip a pullet over & take a look at her vent; it is said that a pullet in lay will have a more relaxed vent and that it may have a bit of mucousy coating on it. Also, you can flex the pubic bones just a bit...if they are in lay, the pubic bones will be more flexible. Obviously, don't flex them "too much" - you don't want to cause an injury. I've also seen folks use food color...flip a pullet over, drip a drop or 2 of food coloring in her vent, and if she's laying, the egg will have smears of that color on it.

 

[wamtazlady]

I read once that you could put a little food dye inside their vent. When the egg is laid some of the dye will be on the egg.

 

[trailrider330]

You can always try crating them separately for a few days and see if they lay (provided the stress of the crating does not impact their laying).

 

[Wynette]

You can always try crating them separately for a few days and see if they lay (provided the stress of the crating does not impact their laying).

If you absolutely must know, I think this is the very best way. I use dog crates to separate chickens when necessary. You do run a slight risk - especially if it's a very new layer - of them eating the egg if they are crated, though. Just a point of caution.