First time chicken owner

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Welcome. They really don't need layer feed until they are at point of lay. You will notice this my reddened combs and faces, and if you touch their backs they will squat for you. The should start laying sooner after.

As another pointed out they should not be sleeping in nest boxes, otherwise they will end up pooping all over eggs when the start laying. Close off the nest boxes and teach them to sleep on the roosts even if you have to put them up their each night until they get the idea.

When they are starting to lay - put a golf ball or two in the nest boxes, so they see that is where eggs belong. Hens are funny, they can have identical nest boxes but, insist on all laying in the same one. Sometimes they wait in line, other times it gets urgent and they will climb on the present occupant and just lay an egg on top of them. Just remember chickens are not rocket scientists but, they are fun to watch.
 
Michael OShay said:
X2 on sumi's advice.
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That is so strange that they choose to do that. Their instinct is to roost at the highest point. Are your roosting bars higher than the nests? I have some little ones that have one-upped the rooster and hens and are roosting in the rafters! Lol
 
Bethel3330 said:
That is so strange that they choose to do that. Their instinct is to roost at the highest point. Are your roosting bars higher than the nests? I have some little ones that have one-upped the rooster and hens and are roosting in the rafters! Lol
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Some of the roosting bars are higher than the nests, but I think the main reason they use the roosts rather than the nests is because the nests (if properly made) are much darker inside and the chickens, which don't see well in the dark, don't go to roost until late in the day. Chickens will certainly roost on top of the nesting boxes readily enough though, if they're flat.
 
Sorry @Michael OShay I was meaning to x3 on Sumi's advice and direct my comment toward OP. Lol I need to go to sleep! :)
 
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Bethel3330 said:
Sorry @Michael OShay I was meaning to x3 on Sumi's advice and direct my comment toward OP. Lol I need to go to sleep!
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No problem. I've been there myself plenty of times. :o)ZZZzzzzz....
 
I have blocked off the nesting boxes now for 3 days. The first night was tough for me and them. They seemed kind of stressed out when they went in their coop and saw them covered, but for 3 nights they have slept on their perch!! My perch is lower than my boxes. When my husband built the coop, we had no clue what we were doing! It's a great coop, but wish I had more experience with chickens before we started. I guess you learn as you go! I would do things so much differently! My hens are now 22 weeks old, and still no eggs! I do have golf balls in their boxes. Everything I read, and am told, they don't start laying till they are around 24 weeks. I can't wait for eggs, but it's a pleasure watching them. They are so goofy sometimes!!! I love when they start running around! They put their head low and look like they are darting at something. I have a rooster in with them, was not supposed to be a rooster. He sometimes grabs one of them at the neck. I think it might be some kind of mating ritual?? Thanks to everybody for all the great info! I'm ready to build a second coop!
 

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