Knowing which chickens are laying

[Deansmig]

Hello, what's the best way or ways of knowing which chicken or chickens are laying. We got our first egg today btw

 

[Marigold]

If you only have a few, all different breeds, than each one will lay an egg which is a different colour/shape/size, or a mix of all three. I have a Sussex who lays pale cream, a Legbar who lays blue, and when my pullets stat laying the Columbian Blacktails will be brown and the Leghorns will be white.
If you know what breeds they are, look up what colour eggs to expect and then just keep an eye on who is coming and going out of the nestbox. Of course of they're all the same breed this doesn't work so well.
Congratulations on that wonderful first egg! Which pullet seems the most mature, ( ie comb reddest, squats when you touch her back, most interestd in the nestbox) if you could pin that one down you'll gradually get to grips with the others.

 

[EddieS]

If they are just coming into lay you could do the Pelvic bone finger test. It won't tell you which is laying,
but it will tell you which isn't.

 

[BabyBantam]

My pekins tend to squat (ready for cockeral) when in lay if you try to pick them up. You can also tell when their wattles are super red and swollen (rather than pale & shrunken). Mainly, it is the relationship you build with your hens and watching them day to day that gives you the knowledge of what to look for in each invividual.

 

[chrismahon]

Reddest comb is likely to be the one laying BB. She will also be the one with the biggest appetite.