Consistency when they first lay

[gitanesteel]

Our Black Australorp started laying 9 or 10 days ago. In that span we got 4 eggs but nothing for the past three days. We have scoured the run (not very large and fairly barren) and haven't found any outside (one was laid in the dirt on Saturday). She won't use the nest box at all so I'm going to work on fooling her with one on the ground.

I noticed tonight she was limping and favoring her right leg. She didn't do that yesterday. Is it possible that will keep her from laying?

I guess we're just trying to determine when the consistency will start for egg laying.

 

[kipepeo]

I am wondering the same thing my one started laying last monday and laid tues and wed then nothing. Mine free range so I have looked but not scoured around for any and she laid those 3 in the next box. Looking forward to opions from everyone

 

[Olive Hill]

Some lay consistently right from the start, some do not. That said, stress can more than encourage them to stop laying. Have you had a chance to examine her for any wounds, illnesses, signs of trauma?

 

[gitanesteel]

She seems quite healthy and spunky. The chickens have decided they like to roost on top of the nest box - all 11 of them - and I'm wondering if she sprained something when she jumped off this morning.

Catching her to examine her closely is a whole different issue. She's quite mild mannered - just not into being held.

 

[Olive Hill]

Well, like it or not she should probably get a quick once over check-up to be sure. Their feathers have a way of hiding wounds quite well and by the off chance that is what it is and you have an infection set in... things will be much more complicated. Better to grab her up now and go through a quick treatment to prevent as needed, than to have to do a lot more extensive quarantine and treatment later.

 

[kipepeo]

Well we scoured this morning and found 4

Not sure if they are all hers but at least no where to look now.

 

[deidreschultz]

they are all different. we had 2 that when they started laying skipped 2 days and then has layed 1 everyday since. we had one that waited over 2 weeks before she layed her 2nd then skipped a couple days then layed everyday after that.

what did you line your nest boxes with. i started with hay didn't use it. i switched to shavings and i think 1 has laid an egg outside the nest box. other than that they use every time. i think the shaving are softer and they like arranging them just so everyone is perfect before they lay their eggs.

good luck

 

[NotTheMomma]

I used hay in the nests for two reasons.

First, we are doing the deep litter method, and thus have shavings on the floor. I didn't want them confused on where to lay.

Second, we have plenty of hay because we have horses, and rabbits. So I don't have to go buy something just for the nests.

Having said that, MOST lay in the nest boxes. Given the chance, I have about 6 that will lay wherever they find a good nesting spot OUTSIDE the coop. Today it was in the carport. One day near the burn pile in the tall weeds, and one time under an overhang of plywood, near the wood pile.

Two nights ago, I went into the coop a clipped ONE wing on 10 different hens who consistently flew out of their run. One continues to fly out with just one wing.

It worked on the others.

I know my EEs typically only lay every other day. The rest, I don't really know. I have 30 hens, of which at least 27 'should' be laying. I get around 20 eggs a day.