Almost egg laying?

[TXmama4boys]

Hello everyone! I have 15 week old barnyard mix pullets. They are starting to hangout on thier nest boxes now. I come to check in the morning and thier nest boxes have poo in them. Is this a good sign that they are going to be laying soon... Or am I grasping at straws? Haha!

I also have one Pullet that has a comb and waddle that is turning red and she is becoming pretty vocal. Is this a sign of much?

Thanks y'all!
Newbie here.

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

The red comb and vocalizing is a good sign. That's what I look for (also the submissive squat, but not all of mine do it). Are they sleeping in the boxes or just pooping in them when they hangout during the day?

 

[TXmama4boys]

No sleeping in the boxes... I count them every night and they all seem to sleep on the perch we made them. I haven't actually seen them in the boxes, though. I just find it randomly.

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

No sleeping in the boxes... I count them every night and they all seem to sleep on the perch we made them. I haven't actually seen them in the boxes, though. I just find it randomly.

That's good, maybe you won't have to box train them!

 

[TXmama4boys]

Box train?! What in the world....

 

[krista74]

Box train?! What in the world....

Nest box training

Some pullets, when they first start laying, lay their eggs in random places. Under the roost, in the doorway, on your front verandah - you name it!

So then you have to train them to use their nest boxes - I presume this is what @SunkenRoadFarms was referring to. It involves putting 'fake eggs' or golf balls in the nest boxes in the hope the chickens will know where the appropriate place to lay is.

Signs to look for that eggs are imminent include new/extra vocalisations, faces begin to redden, comb and wattles plump up and go a bright red, and the birds may start to 'squat' for you. An sudden interest in the nest boxes is also a good clue.

Krista

 

[SunkenRoadFarms]

Lol, yes sorry, I meant nestbox training! Kinda sounded like litterbox training, wouldn't that be nice!

 

[TXmama4boys]

Lol, yes sorry, I meant nestbox training! Kinda sounded like litterbox training, wouldn't that be nice!

I figured that was what you meant! I have just never heard of such a thing.