Is there signs that a hen is ready to lay?

[Justino]

lol why do hens squat for us anyways??? what do they think were gonna do to em???

 

[chicksinthemachine]

I use the colorful plastice eggs for my EE's-he-he! I put a few little rocks or some kind of weight in them too.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Exactly what you're thinking...

Another thing you can check is the separation distance of the pelvic bones. When the pullets are young, the two bones near the vent are only about a finger's width apart. The bones will separate to 2-3 fingers-width when they start laying.

 

[ticks]

What is a quick easy to make nest box with out any nails or screws?

 

[DLS]

Quote:
I grab the hen by the neck & shake. Then I pet her back kind of hard then i pull her tail up & shake it . I think it makes then happy. Because they all huddle around wanting there turn ---some 2 times---

thet they shake off the encounter off & go lay an egg .
Funny & fun animals to keep.

 

[ticks]

Will they know how to use it? (nest box)

 

[Mrs MIA]

I bet if you put straw in a 5 gallon bucket and lay it on its side, they'd lay in it...

 

[ticks]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

I bet if you put straw in a 5 gallon bucket and lay it on its side, they'd lay in it...

Would pine shavings work?​

 

[Mrs MIA]

Most likely.

 

[ticks]

Great thanks!