4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Squish]

Bit obvious from the title what im going to ask! But ill ask it anyway , how red do their combs need to be before they lay? Ive had my chicks for over 2 weeks now and they are slowly going more pinky/red but still no signs of eggs . How long do you think it will be, or does it depend from chuck to chuck?

 

Thanks in advance

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think it does depend on the chicken . Two of mine had quite big red combs and one had a much smaller paler one. They're all bigger and redder now though after a few months laying.

[lisaroo2]

I've noticed that Daisy's comb has got more colour in it now and she's got more colour around her eye area - but I won't hold my breath about her laying just yet. Any eggs she does lay are bound to be scrambled as she jumps around that much! Daft girl....

[Snowy]

I think crouching and general friendliness is a better indicator. If they are not crouching yet and still a bit wary of you, no eggs yet One of my gingernuts is into her second year laying and she still has hardly any comb or wattles Mind you, she does still act immature

[Squish]

I think crouching and general friendliness is a better indicator. If they are not crouching yet and still a bit wary of you, no eggs yet One of my gingernuts is into her second year laying and she still has hardly any comb or wattles Mind you, she does still act immature

 

What exactly is crouching though? I don't think friendliness will be a indicator with mine, they are constantly following me around the garden, sat on my lap, running into my kitchen or sat on the dog . I really want them to start laying as i have a big craving for a Spanish omelet tonight!! hehe.

[Snowy]

Ah!

Crouching is when they squat down and hunch their 'shoulders' when you go to pick them up, or just go near them. They sort of quiver and their little feet do a tap dance. If you stroke them they lift their tails in the air then fluff themselves up and have a good shake.

[Gallina]

I would say the laying starts between 3 and 7 days after the squatting starts.

 

The red comb is just a symptom that something is going on, but the squatting is proof.

 

Combs vary tremendously. Gingernuts have quite big red combs, but some pure-breeds just have a little pinky-red strip.

 

I tried to find a webpage that shows all the different sorts of comb: I came up with this Selecting chickens for show page which isn't quite what I wanted but it does have a bit about combs, and has other interesting information.

 

I also came across the COPYRIGHT cartoon below which amused me: