20 Week Old Buff Orpington Laying

[19marvinn]

This is my 20 week old buff, Mildred. I was wondering if anyone had any idea when she might lay. Her comb and wattles have gotten pretty large and red in the past week. I'm so anxious. I love when they become of age and you see that first egg!

 

[wamtazlady]

The best way to determine if she is ready to lay is to check her pelvic bones. A width of 2 fingers wide means she'll be laying very soon. Smaller than that and you have some time to wait.

 

[aart]

She looks pretty ready!

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(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most of my first time hens will become very vocal before the first egg and will often walk around talking loudly in a bawk bawk manner.

 

[aart]

Most of my first time hens will become very vocal before the first egg and will often walk around talking loudly in a bawk bawk manner.

Ditto Dat^^^^

New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.