Hen Getting Ready to Lay??

[New Chicken Lady]

I apologize if this should be posted under another thread. I'm a newbie, so please forgive. I have three chickens - two RIRs and a Brahma/Cochin mix.The RIRs are about 23 weeks. Their combs and wattles are getting red, and one has been squatting when I reach down to pet her. This morning, when I let the girls out of their coop, Rose (one of the RIRs) was wandering off from the other two (which none of them EVER do). She was kind of pacing around the yard and acting differently. I went out later to check on them and couldn't find her. I was panicked, but then looked in the coop to find her in the nesting box. She was laying there very quite and still for quite some time (a couple of hours). I thought for sure I'd get an egg today. However, after going out a couple of hours later, I found her out of the coop and - no egg. She had clearly been trying to make a nice nest to lay in as the shavings were moved around and a nice nest was formed. My question is this - is this typical behavior? Do some hens go in and out of the nesting box - spending long periods of time in there before they actually lay? I sincerely appreciate any opinions that you can share. I can't contain the excitement, and the suspense is killing me!! Thanks so much!

 

[ChickNanny13]

PATIENCE will be rewarded Prior to laying their combs & wattles will be very red, the squatting starts a few weeks before. Rose sounds like she's preparing herself & nest. Being that they're first timers, you may want to put a fake egg or golf ball in the nest, it clues them in as to where to lay. Enjoy

 

[New Chicken Lady]

So on Labor Day of all days!! Finally!!!! Sorry - posted yolk pic twice. Best tasting egg I've ever had!!!!!!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

It doesn't get "old"....I still get excited to find eggs

 

[black_dove2]

So my girl's egg had a few white spots on it today. I'm hoping this again is normal from a new layer. I was wondering if I was feeding too much calcium.View attachment 1131734 View attachment 1131734 She doesn't seem to be eating the oyster shells that I offer free-choice really. However, I kind of agree with the school of thought that chickens take what they need when they need it. That has been what I've observed so far. Is this normal? The egg is still pretty and I'm sure edible. Any further advice is so very much appreciated.

Hi this video will explain why there are spots and speckles, double yolks, etc. It did wonders for me to understand the process

 

[aart]

You picked the perfect place and way to post.
Congrats and Welcome to BYC!

Sounds like your girl knows what shes doing,
be glad she went to a coop nest instead of out in range area somewhere.
The pacing and sitting in nest without laying is pretty typical.
I'm betting you'll have an egg before the end of day.

New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

 

[New Chicken Lady]

 

[New Chicken Lady]

Thanks! The shell and form were so perfect. Couldn't believe it on her first try. Go Rose!!!! I'm giddy.

 

[Cntry1958]

We are like little kids at Easter looking for their eggs. Its always so exciting to get a new egg.

 

[New Chicken Lady]

Yes!! Exactly how I felt. Like I was on an Easter egg hunt. I searched high and low in the yard, but sweet girl laid it right in the middle of her nest in the nesting box. Followed another poster's advice here - and kept them in their coop a little longer today. When I let them out at around 11:00 a.m., I looked in the box and saw the egg. I know this sounds crazy - but I almost thought I was dreaming. LOL Put lots of extra pine shavings in there tonight. Hoping to see another one tomorrow.