First egg?

[jessicagoddard]

One of my hens is starting to show signs of egg laying. She is squatting, staying near the nesting boxes, squawking loudly, and walking slow. Should I keep her inside the coop? My chickens are free range, so I don’t want her laying her eggs somewhere else. What should I do? (I started noticing the behaviors yesterday)

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. You may find a few eggs here and there until everyone uses the nest boxes, and some may never use them, preferring a spot in the corner of the coop. Don't change anything, she'll figure it out.

 

[jessicagoddard]

She also seems to be a bit uncomfortable sometimes, (that’s her in the back)

 

[igorsMistress]

It's a new sensation, do you have oyster shell available? If she's ready the calcium will help the egg along.

 

[aart]

Do you have a run?
Might be good to keep them confined for most the day.
Might take a look at her vent.

 

[jessicagoddard]

Thank you all for the help, I kept the girls in their run yesterday, and went out this morning to find this!

 

[aart]

Thank you all for the help, I kept the girls in their run yesterday, and went out this morning to find this!

Sweet!!
In a nest?

 

[jessicagoddard]

Sweet!!
In a nest?

close! it was in a back corner of the coop, so I moved them into the nesting box for a day to convince them to start laying in there. Not sure if it worked, haven't seen more eggs since!

 

[cluckcluckhens]

Hens are funny sometimes. You give them a laying box and they pick the corners of the coop that has lots straw. Mine from last year did not quite get it but they learned. Prepare yourself for egg eaters. Put fake eggs or golf balls in the laying boxes. Make it look like there is lots of eggs if you can. Squirrels and jays love egg too. Jays destroy them and squirrel will take them at least ours. They will also take the fakes too. Keep an eye on them.