Are the pullets thinking about laying?

[SaltyHen]

A bunch of cockerels and pullets gathered round watching Mimi lay an egg. They were all staring at her very intensely, but turned their heads when I approached to take the photo.



The pullets are getting close to laying age. Does this behavior mean they're pondering the whole egg laying idea now? I was assuming they wouldn't try until spring at this point.

So what's with the cockerels? Are they guarding Mims while she lays or is it just like "whatcha doin'?" (They were "oops" roosters and are scheduled for culling, unfortunately. )

PS — If you're wondering, I only have 2 layers right now (among 4 adult hens) but am going to make more nesting boxes (and nicer ones) soon.

 

[CoconutCoffee]

My rooster made a nest and would pace around when his girls started laying.

 

[SaltyHen]

My rooster made a nest and would pace around when his girls started laying.

Wait, do you mean he made a nest for the hens? Or he made a nest for himself like "hey, I want to lay eggs too!"

 

[CoconutCoffee]

Wait, do you mean he made a nest for the hens? Or he made a nest for himself like "hey, I want to lay eggs too!"

A barred rock was the first to lay and she would go in and out of the coop so the rooster actually made a nest for her in the corner and would cluck to show her it. Then when she actually got down to laying he'd pace outside the coop while incessantly clucking. He wasn't aggressive but was quite protective. He was a surprise rooster and has turned out to be a really good one.

 

[SaltyHen]

A barred rock was the first to lay and she would go in and out of the coop so the rooster actually made a nest for her in the corner and would cluck to show her it. Then when she actually got down to laying he'd pace outside the coop while incessantly clucking. He wasn't aggressive but was quite protective. He was a surprise rooster and has turned out to be a really good one.

Ah, I see. That's really sweet. I'll have to see how things pan out. I've got too many roosters, and a closed flock who I think are MG carriers, so I can't rehome either.

 

[CoconutCoffee]

Ah, I see. That's really sweet. I'll have to see how things pan out. I've got too many roosters, and a closed flock who I think are MG carriers, so I can't rehome either.

I feel ya on having too many roosters.. Out of the 23 I got last month theres 2 confirmed and 3 suspected cockerels. On top of the 2 roosters ive had for years. I think I'd be fine with the confirmed 2 as my oldest is almost 8 already. So I can move them around when he passes. But 5 raging bratty cockerels? I'd prefer not. I dont have the stomach to process and only culled due to illness/injury.