Do chickens began laying before they mate?

[Leannehall13]

So, today I caught these two love birds physically displaying their affections for the first time. I didn’t think they’d start mating until she began laying. Do they lay before they mate? If so, I can’t find her hiding place. Or, do they mate before they lay? These two are about 23 weeks. Also, will she lay if he NEVER leaves her side? I’ve read that they need privacy and she does not get any.

 

[azygous]

You have as much to learn as your pullet does. Have you seen her "playing" in the nest boxes? Usually, pullets will explore the nests and make a big mess getting acquainted with the accommodations weeks ahead of the first egg.

Next step is becoming "interested" in the rooster, hanging out near him, following him around. From there, the pullet will begin to squat when she senses the roo's presence behind her or even if you come up behind the pullet.

The rooster will take his cues from the pullet. When she becomes aware of an egg making its way down the oviduct, she will try to get the rooster to mate her so the egg can be fertilized when it makes it to the cloaca. So when you see the roo mating the pullet, the first egg is imminent.

Whether the pullet figures out where to lay her egg in an appropriate place will be the question. It wouldn't hurt to confine her to the run and coop once you see her being mated. Keep an eye on her, and watch her closely in the mornings. You'll have a better chance to intervene and steer her to a nest box if she's where you can keep an eye on her.

 

[Leannehall13]

Thank you for your response. There are 3 chickens in the coop, two are roosters and 10 more that are about 13 weeks that are being introduced housed separately for now (because she is sweet to us, but mean to them). The nest boxes have been explored. The fake eggs end up around the coop everyday. I’ve assumed it was her doing it.

I haven’t noticed her squatting but him following her around like a love sick puppy

This is my first time raising chickens and I’m so excited! Thanks again!

 

[Fallenone05]

You have as much to learn as your pullet does. Have you seen her "playing" in the nest boxes? Usually, pullets will explore the nests and make a big mess getting acquainted with the accommodations weeks ahead of the first egg.

Next step is becoming "interested" in the rooster, hanging out near him, following him around. From there, the pullet will begin to squat when she senses the roo's presence behind her or even if you come up behind the pullet.

The rooster will take his cues from the pullet. When she becomes aware of an egg making its way down the oviduct, she will try to get the rooster to mate her so the egg can be fertilized when it makes it to the cloaca. So when you see the roo mating the pullet, the first egg is imminent.

Whether the pullet figures out where to lay her egg in an appropriate place will be the question. It wouldn't hurt to confine her to the run and coop once you see her being mated. Keep an eye on her, and watch her closely in the mornings. You'll have a better chance to intervene and steer her to a nest box if she's where you can keep an eye on her.

So I have 5 pullets that are squatting for the boy but haven't been interested in the nest boxes. They've all been locked up lately in their run and coop instead of free ranging the yard like usual, but no eggs from them.

I got a smaller, shell-less egg yesterday and I wonder if it's one of them getting into the groove. I think they've been actively squatting for him for a week, week and a half? I'm confused with it - my last batch of pullets was bred by the rooster and they laid within two days of him breeding them.

Is it the daylight hours? I've never seen this before.

 

[azygous]

So I have 5 pullets that are squatting for the boy but haven't been interested in the nest boxes. They've all been locked up lately in their run and coop instead of free ranging the yard like usual, but no eggs from them.

I got a smaller, shell-less egg yesterday and I wonder if it's one of them getting into the groove. I think they've been actively squatting for him for a week, week and a half? I'm confused with it - my last batch of pullets was bred by the rooster and they laid within two days of him breeding them.

Is it the daylight hours? I've never seen this before.

Every breed is different and each pullet is, as well. The length of the days has a lot to do with when they begin to lay. The shell-less egg you saw may have been a first attempt. I got one of those myself the other morning from a new pullet.

 

[Mrs. K]

All it means, is eggs are getting close. Close is not an exact time frame, generally when I have give up hope they will ever lay, they do. So hard waiting for that first egg. I am currently waiting for my older hens to start up again after the winter break.

As to the original poster:

There are 3 chickens in the coop, two are roosters

Not a good set up. I am assuming that they are all the same age, and just coming into their hormones. There is a real chance that the cockerels can really harass the pullet or fight themselves. You need a plan B where you can separate the pullet from one or both of the roosters, set up and ready to go. Or to separate the roosters from each other. IT needs to be set up and ready to go, because it can get ugly real fast.

I would like you to consider removing from your flock both roosters. Especially if you have children under the age of 6. Roosters take a lot of experience in my opinion. And new people vastly underestimate the violence a rooster can produce. You are probably attached to both of them, but how they behave today, is no indication how they will behave tomorrow. I think you might be headed for a wreck.

I see you have more pullet chicks, and I assume you are thinking that more hens will make keeping both roosters possible, but that often is not the case. I hate to rain on your parade, but just want you to be aware, that this is not a good set up, and very likely going to get ugly soon. If it doesn't, you will have been very lucky.

Mrs K

 

[Leannehall13]

We decided that we were going to keep the roosters separate until the babies get older. Today the barred rock started singing the egg song, so she’s close. One roo is a Silkie, so I’m hoping he will naturally just fall back and submit to the Easter egger. But being that the barred rock is the only one old enough to mate, I feel that it’s in her best interest until the others are old enough to mate with.

 

[Mrs. K]

good decision

 

[Fallenone05]

Every breed is different and each pullet is, as well. The length of the days has a lot to do with when they begin to lay. The shell-less egg you saw may have been a first attempt. I got one of those myself the other morning from a new pullet.

I had to say something for her to prove me wrong She laid the dark brown egg and I watched her do it!!