Preparing for the first eggs

[LER23]

So I now have 2 pullets that are getting ready to lay their first eggs here in the Willamette Valley, despite the shortened days. I say this because they have allowed me to touch them, doing their submissive squat-they usually shy away from being handled. I couldn't check their vent or measure between the pelvic bones, so no, not sure it's imminent, but an egg is in my futre, I am sure of it now.

I am trying to make sure that they have places to lay their eggs that they like, and I can find. We built nest boxes into the chicken house, but I think they were poorly placed. I am building some nest boxes I can put both inside their run and outside where they free range. Should I put them up on a fence, a bit above the ground? Or on the ground? Obviously I will need to keep them dry, the ones I put out in the yard where they free range.

And is there any behavior I should watch for? They have changed the order of roosting, which I find interesting...and I'm watching for other changes but don't know what, if anything, I should be watching for. Any suggestions?

 

[cavemanrich]

I would only keep nest box inside your dry coop. They should have easy access to it at all times. Chickens do like a private spot to lay their eggs. For new layers, a additional simple box with some bedding in the far corner on the floor of coop works just the same. Peeps like to raise their nest boxes inside coop, for a couple of reasons.
Easier for person to get the eggs.
The space under nest box is additional floor space for chickens to utilize, when locked inside. (like during foul weather,).
Keeping in your run,,, and dealing with possible precipitation is not ideal at all. JMO.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[LER23]

I would only keep nest box inside your dry coop. They should have easy access to it at all times. Chickens do like a private spot to lay their eggs. For new layers, a additional simple box with some bedding in the far corner on the floor of coop works just the same. Peeps like to raise their nest boxes inside coop, for a couple of reasons.
Easier for person to get the eggs.
The space under nest box is additional floor space for chickens to utilize, when locked inside. (like during foul weather,).
Keeping in your run,,, and dealing with possible precipitation is not ideal at all. JMO.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thanks! They have a nice little hoop house in their run now, so I will also put a nest box there, and I have been giving them access to the other half of the shed that their hen house is in, which they like a lot when it rains.

 

[fluffycrow]

I agree with putting nest boxes in the coop and only the coop. Be aware that since you're free ranging them, they might decide the free range area is a much better place to lay an egg

 

[aart]

I agree with putting nest boxes in the coop and only the coop. Be aware that since you're free ranging them, they might decide the free range area is a much better place to lay an egg

Ditto Dat!