How to tell if a hen is laying

Hen Health

1 Feb

It can be difficult in small flocks of pet hens to know which hens are laying, particularly in winter months when possibly three eggs may be laid by a flock of say four or five hens (depending on breed). Some hens will consistently lay earlier in the morning and others later. This pattern of earlier or later laying is often maintained from winter to summer, but the time of lay in the winter can be later in the morning. Some hens may not lay in the nest box, particularly if they lay after the hen coop doors are open. Hens can often be seen returning to the coop to lay in the nest box after ranging but some hens will find a more local nesting area, such as in hay stores on equestrian establishments. These eggs are often then found at a much later time, unless the alternative laying site is known.

If a hen becomes broody, she is often seen in the nest box and can often be assumed to be laying. Sometimes hens suffering with salpingitis (infected oviducts) can be regularly seen in the nest area. Neither of these types of hen are likely to be laying. One way to check if a hen is laying is to try to feel a developing egg. This is best performed late at night either by abdominal palpation or an internal examination via the cloaca. Avoid feeling in the afternoon when the egg will be in a soft-shelled state and can be damaged more easily. A safer method, which can be performed at any time of the day is to assess the distance between the pin bones of the pelvis. Both of these techniques can risk damaging the egg or harming the bird.

Pin bone palpation

The pin bones sit on either side just above the vent at 10 and 2 on a clock. When a bird is in lay, she should have a gap between her pin bones at a similar width to size of egg she is expected to lay. Bantams will lay smaller eggs and have smaller widths, approximately 1-1.5 fingers width. Commercial hybrid hens will lay larger eggs and usually be 2-3 fingers in width. Large traditional breeds will be even larger. This is a good, non-invasive way to check status of lay and can be performed every few days to observe any changes.