How long does it normally take a first egg to be laid?

[SusanD]

Hi, One of our pullets is showing signs of wanting to lay (going up in the nest box, throwing a fit when when I look at her in the nest box, beak open periodically, and tail end shaking periodically). I'm happy that they're starting to lay sooner than I thought, but am wondering how long I should give her to lay before becoming concerned that something's stopping her. Thanks, Susan

 

[junebuggena]

It's not uncommon for a point of lay pullet to sit in a nest box for several hours without laying anything. Constantly checking will not make an egg happen any sooner. Leave her alone. It's like waiting for a pot to boil. If you keep taking the lid off, it's going to take that much longer to boil. Same thing goes for hens laying eggs. Check again in few hours, once she's off the nest.

 

[SusanD]

Thanks for your reply. I went out now and found an egg and the chicken acting back to her normal self, so it looks like everything's good

It sure made for an interesting Saturday morning.

 

[junebuggena]

Congrats!