Are they ready to lay?

[SophieCaroline]

I have a flock of 11 hens, just regular brown layers. About a month ago, they stopped peep peep-ing and have started pock-pock-ing, if that makes any sense. They are free range but come back to the coop at night. They have not layed yet in the coop... They all sleep in the same box. They were in a closed space when we got them, still very young and not ready to lay. I'm scared they might be laying in the woods! Any advice? I did the ping pong trick and it worked on my other layers (I have 22 birds all together, 6 of which are roosters). I was supposed to butcher some but, I'm unable to kill a spider!!! Any advice?

 

[cubalaya]

what is their age? hens start laying between 4 months and 7 months usually but change in daylight hours(fall) can affect when they lay.