How much longer before I see an egg?????

[nab58]

I know it's that time of year when all of us new chicken owners are dying to see that first egg.

I'm jumping on the bandwagon!!

My six red sex links are about16 weeks old. I know they don't typically start laying before 18 weeks but it seems everyone is posting that their pullets gave them an agg as early as 15 weeks!

here's a pic of one of my pullets with the largest, reddest comb & wattles. her name is Wilma.

How close to laying do you think she might be? The nest boxes are ready and they don't seem to be showing any interest in them. She's not squatting and she won't let me pick her up to check her pelvis (don't want to upset the little misses by chasing her around!).

 

[nab58]

here's the nesting boxes with golf balls....

 

[appps]

Gotta say as mine are 23 weeks and I'm still waiting you might just have to be patient lol

 

[RenegadeCocks]

Same here. I got my chicks mid-March. I guesses I'm resigned to wait till end of August/ early September. I still check the drop box of the nesting areas though. And just like your hens....there doesn't seen to be any interest in the nesting boxes at all. Figure this is normal at this stage of the game. I'll panic in September if there's still no change.

 

[aggiemae]

My pullets look about as developed as Wilma.

Last year 4 of our pullets hatched 4/4 started laying the last week of July. The 6th, a Wellsummer, didn't lay until she was 10 months old! Our 2013 chicks hatched March 1st so I was hoping for eggs sooner, but now but none so far. I am thinking that the Buff Orp is going to be first.

 

[yfjjc0]

mine started at 19 weeks I have nesting boxes which I have 2
fake eggs they have laid there plus in the yard which they free roam

 

[newraiser]

My hens are 4-5 months old and don't seem interested in the laying boxes does my laying boxes need to be a certain depth it's like they don't even know the boxes are there and all my hens roost up high with my roosters every night and I just don't know I been looking everyday for that first egg

 

[aggiemae]

The nest box should be level with the coop floor dark and cozy (about 10x10 - 12x12 for average size hens). My nest box had a folded towel covered with pine shavings for bedding but, as long as it dark and quiet, most chickens really aren't that particular about the laying surface. I use the shaving only because I had them on hand and I don't like hay or straw.

Most pullets ignore the box until they need it and even then you might have to scoop them up from their chosen laying spot(s) and move them into the nest box. I have one hen who was fixing to lay on "her" deck chair but after she was shut into the coop it was four (LOUD!) hours before she laid in the nest box. It takes a while for the hens to lay in the box so if you free range listen for an "egg song" and you'll find any eggs they are laying in your yard. Don't be surprised if you find lots of therm all in one spot.

Egg song:

 

[Delight30]

The nest box should be level with the coop floor dark and cozy (about 10x10 - 12x12 for average size hens). My nest box had a folded towel covered with pine shavings for bedding but, as long as it dark and quiet, most chickens really aren't that particular about the laying surface. I use the shaving only because I had them on hand and I don't like hay or straw.

Most pullets ignore the box until they need it and even then you might have to scoop them up from their chosen laying spot(s) and move them into the nest box. I have one hen who was fixing to lay on "her" deck chair but after she was shut into the coop it was four (LOUD!) hours before she laid in the nest box. It takes a while for the hens to lay in the box so if you free range listen for an "egg song" and you'll find any eggs they are laying in your yard. Don't be surprised if you find lots of therm all in one spot.

Egg song:

Thanks for the information and the link.... we are new to chickens and I was wondering about this egg song I have been reading about. Very helpful.

 

[RenegadeCocks]

I'm checking every day... may have to throw done golf balls in there maybe...