do you guys think they can control when they lay eggs. .

[chickenreyna]

Ok, i am confused. Every 26 hours an egg is supposedly made. My friend said hers will just plop out eggs whenever, wherever and not go to the nesting boxes..

However, anytime, i have moved a ladder or stick leading to the nesting area that i have setup they will not lay until i put it back like i had it.

 

[chickenreyna]

All od our breeds are the same or similar too! sexlinks, cinnamons ee's. So it couldnt be a difference on our breeds!

 

[junebuggena]

Yes they can control the muscles that release the egg. However, it does take time for pullets that are new to laying to get the hang of it. And they can only hold back the egg for so long before it absolutely must come out.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

The way I've understood it, it's like pooping. You can hold it in, but only for so long, and preferably not at all.

 

[chickenreyna]

Ok. That makes sense. So mine are just being stubborn little heffers that despise any slight change around the habitat or anywhere lol

 

[junebuggena]

I've got one hen that refuses to lay in the coop. She will hold out for days till she gets a chance to escape to her hidden spot in the blackberry brambles.

 

[Chickassan]

Bingo!

Ok. That makes sense. So mine are just being stubborn little heffers that despise any slight change around the habitat or anywhere lol

 

[centrarchid]

The way I've understood it, it's like pooping. You can hold it in, but only for so long, and preferably not at all.

Take time to follow a hen in lay through the course of the day. When egg is close she gets a powerful urge to go back to nest and sit in it. During that process she may produce a particular sound produced only when getting ready to lay. She can delay within limits but my stress hens will lay away from nest if they can not get back to it.

 

[chickenreyna]

I've got one hen that refuses to lay in the coop. She will hold out for days till she gets a chance to escape to her hidden spot in the blackberry brambles.

How funny. My sexlink randomly started laying behind a pallat against my house out of nowhere but shes laying back in nesting box. I guess whatevee floats their boats. Hey everyone. Follow mebto my new question forum

 

[Rosekitty]

I have several "sections" on my property. After the hens all lay their eggs they are allowed to "go play". One day I waited until noon for them to finish laying. One chicken (Enchilada) had been removed from the group because she was acting sickly. She begged to be let in to the coop, so in she came. She ran to her box and laid her egg.