21 Week pullet, laying soon?

[Ruralhideaway]

One of my 21wk old pullets is sitting around in a nest box lately for an hour at a time.

Is this typical when close to laying?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sounds like she's broody although she's not laying yet. Don't let her sit in the nest, are there others that are laying or her age? What are you feeding? What breed? Could you post a picture?

Signs getting close to lay are RED combs & wattles. Then when she squats when you approach, laying should be 2 - 3wks off.

 

[Pork Pie]

It's perfectly normal for a bird to spend some time in nest boxes prior to beginning to lay. Fingers crossed that she will decide that the nest boxes are a good place to lay, rather than you having to play "hunt the egg" every day

 

[17 chickens]

If you have some plastic Easter eggs you should put a few in the boxes and this will teach them where to lay. I have had a few hens lay in 18-20 weeks of age!

 

[chickens really]

They usually do start showing interest in nest and practice multiple times before they lay for the first time. It's perfectly normal.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Thanks for the replies!
No one's laying here yet. They are eating grower and all flock. My plan is to add oyster shell when eggs begin. She is what TSC/Hoover is selling as asia black. Her comb is the biggest and reddest of the four that age. Maybe I'll have an omelette on her soon!

 

[jthornton]

I have 9 RIR and some started to lay at 18 weeks and now 3 are still not laying at 21 weeks. From what I've read it's 16-24 weeks for RIR's, not sure about the ones you have.

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Likely similar although they are some kind of crosses. Long dark winter will likely slow these down a bit though if I understand correctly.

 

[elaineinspain]

Thanks for the replies!
No one's laying here yet. They are eating grower and all flock. My plan is to add oyster shell when eggs begin. She is what TSC/Hoover is selling as asia black. Her comb is the biggest and reddest of the four that age. Maybe I'll have an omelette on her soon!
View attachment 1233728

she looks beautiful! And her comb and wattles look nice and red. If she's showing an interest in the nesting boxes it sounds like she'll be laying soon. Put in some 'dummy' eggs (golf balls will do) to encourage her...

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Better dig out those old golf balls then!

It's cute she gets in there and settles in and the others cluster around her mumbling, like they are discussing it.