First Egg at 7pm - How to schedule?

[JimmyMack]

We found our first "real" egg last night around 7pm. I knew they were ready as there had been a few weak eggs a week earlier. I thought they might be laying in the bushes, but I could never find anything. From the suggestion of another member, I "locked" them in their coop for 24+ hours and viola, an egg. It wasn't in the nest box, although I see they have nestled in their and moved stuff around. I did let them out for an hour last night before dark.

Now, they are back in the coop and I am hoping to have them use their nest boxes, but my main question is how do I get them to change their schedule from laying at 7pm to 7 am, then they can play all day? Do I need to give it more time and they will get on a schedule themselves, or is there something else to help it along? Lastly, do their schedules adjust to each other (when one lays do the others say, "Hey, maybe I should do the same", or is it completely random.

I'd like to get them on a schedule because they are really cooped up...literally. The coop is small and only designed for night and nesting. It's 18-20 square feet for 6 birds. The rest of the time they are strolling about our property.

Thank you!

 

[Judy]

You can't change their schedule. But a 7 PM egg should be good news for you. The usual cycle is around 25 hours, so ordinarily they lay a little later in the day each day, until they lay near sunset, then they skip a day, then begin laying early.

 

[Pele]

If only chickens were that obedient! Then my hosta plant would be unmolested, thier dustbaths wouldn't be under the fence, their feed would stay in the container I put it in, and I wouldn't have to check for eggs several times a day!

On a serious note though, ddawn gave you really good information. At least part of the time they'll be laying when you want them to!

 

[JimmyMack]

Thank you. So it appears they have their own schedule and I just need to hope they will use the nesting boxes? Have a great weekend.

 

[karlamaria]

You can always put a box out side the coop, some have and they nest there also.

 

[This_chicks_place]

I've read if you put a fake egg or golf balls in their nest they will get the idea to lay their eggs in the appropriate place. Good Luck! I'm still waiting on our first eggs

 

[poseygrace]

I'd say keep them locked up for several days, and using the nest box will become a habit and they will return to it. Make sure when they are free ranging they are able to get back to the nest easily.

 

[aggie9296]

They usually figure it out. I have had a few eggs on the ground outside the coop and now all are in the nest box.

 

[JimmyMack]

Well, kept them locked up for a few days... had a little success. One in the nest box one morning.

Noticed one of my Red Stars missing...looked around and she was in the lillies, all bedded down. I picked her up, put her in the coop and an hour later, an egg in the ensting box.

Found a discovery of 10 eggs in the woods. I suppose someone has been laying for a few weeks.

PS - chicks are 18 weeks, so one Red Star started at 17 weeks and the other at 18 weeks.