No eggs @ 19 weeks, just plays in nesting box along with pooping

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Johnhutch

Johnhutch

Chirping
Jan 18, 2016
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I have no eggs, they eat like pigs, they get a treat at night, I've given them this huge coop ,7x10 which does not include their yard run, and nothing... They never roost. They just either sit on the floor or they huddle on top of nesting boxes... Nesting box is book case divided into 4 sections added a lip to it, I had a ramp to it but they keep knocking it down. Suggestion?
 
You seem to be a little frustrated with your chickens
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. Time is the name of the game I'd suggest as to when they will decide to begin laying. They may be more likely to roost if the roosts are higher than the nesting boxes. Failing that, I'd have a long talk with them and give 'em the options
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All the best
CT
 
Not frustrated, just wondering have I done it right... U know happy chicken is a laying chicken. All I have taught these greedy girls is to stand at the door an peep out the window to get me to bring their snack....
700

Nesting boxes...
 
My boyfriend thinks they have a mansion with all the glitter and gold... I'm raising the roost today... Adding different nesting boxes for variety besides the fact eventually there will be 14 living there. Even have artificial light as it's pretty dark with a window for a door and 2 other openings which doesn't provide a lot of sunlight.
 
Nineteen weeks is still young to be laying. I have had hens not start until nearly a year old. A lot depends on what breed or breeds you have as well.

Brahma for example are a large slow growing bird so tend to lay closer to 8 months old while a leghorn is a light fast growing chicken so tend to lay closer to 5 or 6 months old.

Patience my friend, patience.
 
There's no right or wrong in most cases. Maybe if you add a landing perch in front of the nesting boxes they may be more inclined to nest there - who knows, but they are young. Are they showing signs of thinking about laying? (squatting in front of you, or developing very red combs and wattles, for example?).

I have 14 laying hens and they only use 2 nesting boxes - whatever one tries to do as often as not ends up being to no avail.

CT
 
I wouldn't add more or different boxes. They just need time. I have 2 silver laced wyandottes,hatced last spring. One just started laying about 10 days ago,the other hasn't. Although she has been mating so will soon. Just give them time.
 
When we put our chickens in their coop they slept on the floor. We picked each one up and placed them on the roost, and after doing this twice, they went up to the roost themselves. Don't know, but worked for us.
 
Johnhutch said:
I have no eggs, they eat like pigs, they get a treat at night, I've given them this huge coop ,7x10 which does not include their yard run, and nothing... They never roost. They just either sit on the floor or they huddle on top of nesting boxes... Nesting box is book case divided into 4 sections added a lip to it, I had a ramp to it but they keep knocking it down. Suggestion?
Click to expand...
If the nest boxes are higher than the roost, then that is where they will roost. They instinctively will find the highest spot to roost. Roosts need to be about a foot away from walls, and should be wide enough for their feet to be mostly flat.
19 weeks is still pretty early for egg laying. Make sure that you are limiting their treats to no more than 10%. Too many goodies will cause nutrient imbalances.
 
Patience is a work in progress.... But I have 3 RIR, a barred rock,California white an a Australorp....
 

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