Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[chickenlicken85]

Hi, my hens are point of lay. How long is it roughly before I could expect some eggs?

[Olly]

'Point of lay' isn't an exact term, it's anything from around 18-22 weeks. Some hens will lay at 18 weeks old, some at 24 ... So it could be tomorrow, it could be six weeks. When they are ready to lay their combs will become fatter and bright red, and they usually start to crouch down if you put a hand over them. It will happen eventually, and those first eggs will be the best you've ever tasted!

[merlina]

Looking at your hens (as much as we can tell with colour photos)

 

I would say the warren would lay first, perhaps within a week or so, the bluebell next and the white one last.

 

Watch how the colour and size of their combs develops. A laying hen will usually have a deep/bright red comb. In immature hens they are a pinky/beigey tone that gradually becomes larger and more red.

 

Different indivduals will lay at slightly different ages too.

 

Good weather seems to bring them into lay more quickly - so on present form you may have more of a wait!

[sjp]

I'd say the warren then the amber and the bluebelle last

[chickenlicken85]

When your predicting who may lay first etc is this due to the size and colour of their woggles? Thanks for the advice I will keep my eye on them and hopefully it wont be too long x

[sjp]

When your predicting who may lay first etc is this due to the size and colour of their woggles? Thanks for the advice I will keep my eye on them and hopefully it wont be too long x

it's based mainly on the size and colour of their head gear the bigger and redder they are especially when POL then the nearer they are to lay it's not scientific and you will get one that hasn't read the books but it's a guide. crouching is slightly better guide but only works if the pullet/hen regards you as top of the pecking order and a good 'mate'

[chickenlicken85]

After all this I got an egg today think it was the amber star as she was sat on it x