How should I find my eggs?

[cleoppa]

So my chickies are now about 4 and 1/2 months old. So, according to what I've read, nearly ready to lay eggs. So I've been wondering... should I be looking for a nest? I made them a little nest box (out of an old children's bench) but when I put it in I put hay in there and they threw the hay out. I figured I'd wait until they were laying to get hay. So... will they make a nice nest of feathers? Will they try to hide them?

Also, they have their pen, but everyday I let them out for several hours. Do they generally lay at the break of dawn, so their eggs would be laid by the time I let them out, or should I be searching the yard for eggs?

The chickens are easter eggers, brown leghorn, australorp and buff orpington.

Thanks!
Becky

 

[Den in Penn]

In the week or so before they start to lay they often rearrange the nesting material. It can be a pain but that is the way they are. Put at least a little hay in the box so they can get used to it. They don't always lay at the same time of day when they start laying. They usually are done by late afternoon. So if you can wait to let them out then they may be more inclined to learn to lay in their nest box. If not you may well have to have a regular search for eggs.