Almost laying behaviors?

[Chicks Creek]

I have 2 bufforp girls who are at about laying age. I noticed the two of them go off alone to the woods quite often now. One of my older girls did this when she got close to laying until I showed them the nesting box. I showed these girls the nesting box and they've tried to go in but the older girls have chased them out a few times. Now they sleep in the nest boxes but nest in the weeds.

Other behaviors I've noticed: tails a bit more rounded, not as perky. Still drinking, foraging, etc. combs are redder. Less active, way more chill. Are they just low on the pecking order and getting ready to pay? Or should I be looking for symptoms of illness?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like they're low on the pecking order (as they're young/about to lay) and that you might need more nests. How many birds total and how many nests? They shouldn't be allowed to sleep in there unless brooding, and they may already be laying out in the woods instead as it's "safer" than being harassed by the older birds.

 

[Chicks Creek]

How many birds total and how many nests? They shouldn't be allowed to sleep in there unless brooding, and they may already be laying out in the woods instead as it's "safer" than being harassed by the older birds.

Total I have 11 but only 6 lay regularly and 1 is a rooster. I have currently 5 nest boxes. Two in our main coop and 3 are just outside the main coop, covered and dry and private. I thought that might reduce fighting in the coop. We're going to build at least 3 more inside. This weekend!

I've been moving them out of the nest boxes and onto the roost at night and blocking the boxes off.

Luckily I know their favorite spots to go and have yet to find an egg there, which also worries me. I hope they're just trying to figure it out.

 

[Beau plus penny]

I have 2 bufforp girls who are at about laying age. I noticed the two of them go off alone to the woods quite often now. One of my older girls did this when she got close to laying until I showed them the nesting box. I showed these girls the nesting box and they've tried to go in but the older girls have chased them out a few times. Now they sleep in the nest boxes but nest in the weeds.

Other behaviors I've noticed: tails a bit more rounded, not as perky. Still drinking, foraging, etc. combs are redder. Less active, way more chill. Are they just low on the pecking order and getting ready to pay? Or should I be looking for symptoms of illness?

you should try following them into the woods to see what they are up to. im really curious

 

[Chicks Creek]

you should try following them into the woods to see what they are up to. im really curious

Mostly they're just hunkering down and picking at the leaves and sticks around them. Very nesty behavior lol! It took me a bit to find them the first day because they blend so well with the fall foliage.

 

[Shadrach]

I think this is quite normal with pullets. Most come to use the egg boxes when they're older and better established in the group.

 

[Chicks Creek]

I think this is quite normal with pullets. Most come to use the egg boxes when they're older and better established in the group.

This is my first experience with integration, so I'm constantly worried about the younger group. We have 6 established layers and 4 ~5 month olds (+ a young roo) of course they're coming of age right when everything is slowing down for winter.