Eggs?!?!?!?

[HobbyChickener]

My chickens are 4 months old. When will they start laying eggs? Will they lay just anywhere or will they start laying in the boxes that I made for them as opposed to on top of it or under the shed where they like to take there siesta? Can I tell by the roosters paying more attention to them like I do my bulldogs?

 

[davecash]

5 months maybe?

 

[silkiechicken]

They will start at about 5-6 months. They should be consistent by 7 months. As for nest boxes. Go ahead and make them, line them with straw or pine shavings, and put in a few fake eggs. They generally like to lay where they see other's have laid.

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

Hang in there girl, i'm in the same situation... from all my reading and talking to the friendly individuals on here depending on the breed of the chicken and mother nature... chickens start laying between 17 and 24 weeks. Mine are now 15 weeks and I find myself looking every morning and every nite in there hidey holes, boxes, and just everywhere I can think of. LOL. It would be a good idea if you go back a few days and read posts... I had this same question a week ago.

Take care and good luck
Tes

 

[HobbyChickener]

1st off way to many whiskers to be a girl, but how where you suppose to know. I looked in the past posts a little but I do good to make it through the 1st couple pages of new posts. Also "?fake eggs?"

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Yep, fake eggs. Golf balls would work too.

 

[HobbyChickener]

Ahh!! Golf Balls, that makes sense. THANKS!!!

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

I was wondering about the "fake eggs" too. LOL... thanks for the idea of the golf balls, I just ran to my sons room and asked him for a few LOL. When do they need to be put in the boxes???

Hobby, I can understand the posts, I have a difficult time getting threw all of them myself. There sure is alot of information. From what they are telling me on my question is what I said about the 18-24 weeks. Hang in there... you will get them soon. Good luck
Tes

 

[greenmulberry]

I use plastic pastel easter eggs for fake eggs.

 

[chickbea]

18 to 20 weeks for standard breeds, with variations for individual birds.
You can get wooden eggs at craft stores for a nominal charge. They also work well if you are trying to trick a hen into going broody.
The roosters will, in general, pay the most attention to the hens that are most sexually mature. However, some roosters have favorites, and that sometimes has nothing to do with fertility.
I've never had a problem with my hens laying anywhere but in the nesting boxes, but I have plenty of friends whose birds lay in all sorts of funny places. You may even get a surprise - my sister thought she had lost her favorite Buff Orpie to a predator 2 years ago, only to have her reappear one morning with a group of assorted babies. Apparently she had been encouraging several hens to lay eggs for her in her clandestine spot!
Have fun - there is nothing more exciting than that first egg!