Do hens practice before they start laying?

[wendymichele]

Hello all,
My question is this, my girls are 5 months old. All of a sudden they are spending a lot of time in the nesting boxes, but haven't laid any eggs. Could it be a hormone thing? I was very excited yesterday thinking I was getting my first egg and nothing. Thanks in advance!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Ya, pullets often will go in and out of nest boxes and rearrange them obsessively in the weeks before they start to lay. Hope those first eggs show up soon!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Yes pullets almost always practice laying eggs a few weeks before they start laying. It sure is torture isn't it!?
If they faces are red and they are squatting then they should start laying any day!!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi
Glad you could join the flock! Mine too practiced before laying any eggs! Hope you have some lovely eggs soon and that you don't have to wait too long. Be sure to ask all the questions you need to and hope you enjoy BYC

 

[rockinpaints]

Cheers from Ohio!

Glad you could join us!

Yes that is normal, but could mean eggies soon

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

Yes, pullets will often check out nesting boxes a couple of weeks before they actually begin laying.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined us!

Yes, it is common for young pullets to explore nest boxes as they get closer to laying.

 

[wendymichele]

Whew. Thank you all for the responses. I was afraid they might be egg bound. Sorry if that sounds dumb, these are my first egg birds.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. You should be getting your first eggs before too much longer. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. What kind of pullets do you have?