Lucas Delgado
Chickens usually start laying eggs between 6 to 10 months old, but there are several ways to tell if a chicken is laying or not. One way is to examine the chicken's vent; if it is moist, white, and oblong-shaped, the chicken is likely laying. Another method is to check the distance between the pelvic bones; if they are flexible and around three fingers apart, the chicken is probably laying. A chicken's behaviour can also indicate if it is laying; for example, if it is squatting and laying in the nesting box during the day, it is likely to be laying. Additionally, the condition of a chicken's feathers can be indicative, with scruffier feathers suggesting a better layer.
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What You'll Learn
Observe the chicken's vent and pelvic bones
To determine whether a chicken is laying eggs, one of the key indicators is the condition of its vent and pelvic bones. The vent, also known as the 'womanly parts', can provide clues about a chicken's egg-laying status. A moist vent that is more white in colour and less pinkish is indicative of a laying chicken. Additionally, the vent may pucker when observed.
To locate the pelvic bones, gently feel the area on either side of the vent. The distance between these bones is a significant indicator of egg-laying potential. If the distance is approximately three fingers wide, it suggests that the chicken's pelvic bones are spreading to accommodate egg-laying. This is further supported if the underside of the chicken feels squishy, as a tight feeling may indicate a lack of egg-laying.
Another behavioural indicator to consider is the "submissive squat". When approached, if the chicken squats down and submits, it is likely laying eggs. This behaviour is a signal of submission to a rooster, indicating mating readiness. The chicken may squat with its back pressed down and its wings and legs slightly spread out.
By observing the chicken's vent, feeling for the pelvic bones, and noting any behavioural changes such as the submissive squat, you can make an educated guess about whether the chicken is laying eggs.
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Check for behavioural changes
Behavioural changes are a good indicator that a chicken is about to start laying eggs. One of the most common signs is nesting behaviour. If you have built a nesting box for your hen, you may notice that she starts spending more time around it and rearranging the bedding material to her liking. If you are raising free-range chickens, you may observe a hen identifying an isolated spot and collecting materials to create a nest.
Another behavioural change to look out for is an increased interest in the rooster. A hen that is ready to lay eggs may suddenly become more receptive to the rooster's advances, as she is signalling that she is ready to be mounted to fertilise her forthcoming eggs. Similarly, a rooster is unlikely to waste his time with a hen that is not laying, so his interest in a particular hen may indicate that she is laying or about to lay.
You may also notice changes in a hen's eating habits as she gears up to start laying eggs. The process of forming and laying eggs requires a lot of energy, so maturing chickens tend to eat more than usual. It is important to gradually transition chickens to a layer feed when they reach 18 weeks of age or when the first egg arrives, whichever comes first.
Some people also suggest that a hen's smell can indicate that she is about to lay. Apparently, a hen that is about to lay may smell like fresh cracked eggs.
Finally, it is worth noting that the time of year can also impact a hen's laying behaviour. For example, a hen that reaches laying age in the winter may not lay her first egg until the following spring due to the reduced daylight hours.
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Observe the chicken's interaction with a rooster
Another way to observe the chicken's interaction with a rooster is by watching for "squatting" behaviour. This is a mating readiness signal, where the hen will squat down with its back pressed downward and its wings and legs spread out a bit more. This behaviour indicates that the hen is ready for a rooster to fertilize her eggs. If there is no rooster around, the hen may perform the submissive squat when approached by a human, especially if a hand is extended to pet her.
You can also observe the chicken's nesting behaviour. If you have provided a nesting box, the hen will start hanging around it more and rearranging the bedding material to its liking when it is ready to lay. If the chickens are free-range, watch for a hen to identify an isolated spot and start digging and collecting materials to create its own nesting area.
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Observe the nesting area
If your chicken is free-range, watch for it to identify an isolated spot and start digging and collecting materials to create its own nesting area. You may notice it perching on top of the nest it has set up and straining from time to time, making some crowing or cackling sounds. Within about a day, you're likely to find an egg in the nest.
If your chicken is laying somewhere other than the nest box, you might observe it preparing other nesting areas. It may lay eggs in odd places, so keep a lookout! Hens will stop laying in the nest box for a variety of reasons, such as being startled by another aggressive hen, a predator, or even lice or mites in the nest boxes.
If you're trying to determine which of your chickens is laying, you can isolate them in their own coop for a few days. A regularly laying hen should lay an egg within 3-4 days. However, if your hen has not produced an egg after sitting on the nest for 2-3 days, call a veterinarian as it may be "egg-bound" and need medical attention.
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Check the time of year
The time of year is a key factor in determining whether a chicken will lay eggs. Typically, egg production in chickens occurs in the spring and summer months, slows down in the autumn, and reduces significantly in the winter. This change is due to the chicken's internal clock telling the hen it's time for a break to conserve energy and stay warm during the colder months.
For example, if a chicken reaches laying age around winter, you may not see an egg until around March because of the cold. However, this is not due to the cold itself, but rather the lack of daylight hours. If you put a light on a timer, your chickens will lay eggs all year round.
The laying age of a hen is typically between 20 and 24 weeks, although some chickens may start laying eggs as early as 16 to 18 weeks old, while others may take up to 28 to 32 weeks or even 8 months. The age at which hens start to lay eggs depends on their breed, with some starting as early as 16 weeks and others beginning around 16 months. For example, a heritage-breed Rhode Island Red will lay eggs around 20 weeks, while Easter Eggers may lay anywhere from 20 to 28 weeks. Chickens that have been historically bred for egg production, such as Leghorns, Golden Comets, Sex Links, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps, tend to start laying eggs sooner. On the other hand, heavier breeds like Wyandottes, Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks usually take longer.
If you have an older hen whose egg production has decreased, age may be the main reason. However, there could be other factors at play, such as malnutrition or illness. It's important to provide essential calcium for laying hens, such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells.
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Frequently asked questions
A surefire way to know is to observe your chicken in the nest box. If there's an egg when she leaves, she's laying. Another way is to isolate your chicken in a separate cage for a few days. A regularly laying hen should lay an egg within 3-4 days. You can also examine the distance between the pelvic bones of your chicken. If they are about 2-3 fingers' width apart, she's laying.
A chicken's vent is a good indicator of whether it is laying. If the vent is moist, white, and oblong-shaped, it is likely laying. A dry, puckered, and pink vent means it is not. A chicken's behaviour can also indicate whether it is laying. If your rooster shows interest in a chicken, she's probably laying. Similarly, if your pullet shows interest in the rooster, she might be laying.
Yes, a chicken's age is a good indicator of its ability to lay eggs. Chickens usually start laying eggs when they are between 6 to 10 months old. After 4 years, their production starts to decline. Other factors include the amount of sunlight they receive, molting, and their overall health and happiness.
