Egg laying questions...

[hembreyfarm]

So being new to chickens I have some questions...
I have 6 hens, 2 black sex link and 4 Rhode Island reds. They are about 10 weeks old, and I know they won't start lay until they are 20 or more weeks but I'm curious as to what to expect.
We have a coop up in the barn with plenty of nesting space, but will they know to just go in there and lay eggs or how do they learn?
Also at what age should I switch to a different feed? They are eating starter with a little chicken scratch every now and then. But I'm almost through the bag of starter feed, and want to know if I should buy another. Also we are going to do free range so at what time should I start letting them roam?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would put fake ceramic eggs in your nestboxes. Hens will start to look around for good safe spots to lay before they start. Egg in a box means someone else though it was a good place. I personally don't use layer. I continue to feed a non medicated grower or I switch to an All Flock after 6 months. When pullets are close to the point of lay I put out a separate bowl of oyster shells. If you want to switch to layer I wouldn't until most or all pullets are laying as it has a lower protein content and can slow down maturity.