How long is normal for a hen to be in the box?

[TwistedLuck]

Hello all,

I have a question on how long it should take a hen to lay her egg once she goes into the nesting box? My Buff Orpington is taking a few hours in the box. Any suggestions? They have only been laying for about 3-4 weeks now.
Thanks,
Rexx

 

[N F C]

"A few hours" seems a long time. The 3 we have laying currently take about 30 minutes or so (from the time they get in the box until they get out).


This was the best answer I could find re: the average time for a hen to be in the box; it's from egglayingchickens.com

"How long does it take a chicken to lay an egg?

From the time she enters the coop or sits on her nest until she actually lays the egg is generally about 30 minutes. However, much of that time is spent preparing for delivery of the egg. Once she stands up to actually lay the egg, it only takes a minute or so for the egg to come out."



Funny story...the other day our dominant RIR had been in the box a very short time but she heard me giving a favorite treat to the girls out in the run. She must have been really worried about missing out as she gave out a crazy loud cackle and came flying out of the coop to get her share and don't you know it...there was a nice warm egg left in that box!

 

[MeepBeep]

I would not worry all that much just yet, I have a Bantam that goes 'temporarily broody' and gets all comfortable for several hours sometimes before she actually lays the egg... Other times she jumps right in and out within minutes...