How to get hens to start laying??

[Seed223]

We have quite a few ladies who appear to be ready to start laying (fully red combs/wattles, interest in nesting boxes, mating, etc). One of our Isa Browns started laying about a week and a half ago and has consistently given us one egg a day since her first. The others who hatched at the same time still aren't laying that I know of but they seem really interested. We have 5 nesting boxes and currently have 7 hens of laying age (5 more to come but are still young). I have put ceramic eggs in the nesting boxes but still nothing... our one laying hen made a nest out in our backyard but has since started laying on the roosting bar (I'm assuming she doesn't even jump down but just lays it while she's up there). We have sand in our coop so this isn't a huge deal but basically no one is using the nesting boxes. I have kept everyone in the coop/run this morning hoping that they would put two and two together and start using the boxes but still nothing. Is there anything I can do to get them to all use the nesting boxes? These are our first chickens and I really have no idea what I'm doing!! Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

Patience. They all mature at different rates of speed, and all will start laying and using the nest boxes.

 

[Sonya9]

They will lay when they are good and ready. Nothing you can do will speed that up.

While the first egg is very exciting realize sometimes the first are shell-less or laid at night and break, so don't be too disappointed if that happens.

 

[Seed223]

Ok thank you both!! I guess I thought they would all start at the same time.... I'm glad to know that it's not something I'm doing. Thank you so much!

 

[Seed223]

One more question - is it a problem if I let them out to free range again? Or will they start laying somewhere in our yard?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They will lay when they are good and ready. Nothing you can do will speed that up.

Technically speaking adding in more light *could* speed up production since laying hormone is effected by such.

I agree though, natural is best.. and they will lay when they are ready. Even birds from the same breed and same batch.. have started laying more than 6 weeks apart at my place!

However, since they hatch with all their ovum on board already.. healthy ladies that start laying later may lay longer into their life. It seems to mostly even out.

 

[Sonya9]

Technically speaking adding in more light *could* speed up production since laying hormone is effected by such.

I agree though, natural is best.. and they will lay when they are ready. Even birds from the same breed and same batch.. have started laying more than 6 weeks apart at my place!

However, since they hatch with all their ovum on board already.. healthy ladies that start laying later may lay longer into their life. It seems to mostly even out.

Adding more light in the summer? We already have super long days.

 

[Sonya9]

One more question - is it a problem if I let them out to free range again? Or will they start laying somewhere in our yard?

They want to lay someplace "safe" so usually it is the hen house. I wouldn't interupt their free ranging, that is the highlight of their day!

If you really want to rush it along maybe buy a flat of eggs at the grocery store. That would probably work.

 

[Seed223]

Technically speaking adding in more light *could* speed up production since laying hormone is effected by such.

I agree though, natural is best.. and they will lay when they are ready. Even birds from the same breed and same batch.. have started laying more than 6 weeks apart at my place!

However, since they hatch with all their ovum on board already.. healthy ladies that start laying later may lay longer into their life. It seems to mostly even out.

Oh that is good to know, I had no idea!! They are outside most all day unless they go into their coop (which they can come back out of)... Do you think I need to make sure there is more light inside the actual coop? We have 5 windows (2 bigger, 3 smaller - more like vent size).

 

[Seed223]

They want to lay someplace "safe" so usually it is the hen house. I wouldn't interupt their free ranging, that is the highlight of their day!

If you really want to rush it along maybe buy a flat of eggs at the grocery store. That would probably work.

hahahahaha, I don't mind waiting I just was thinking something was wrong . Ok thank you for that, I will let them out again and not stress about it!