This is my first time raising chickens and we have 10 RIRs who are a few days shy of 16 wks old. One "matured" a couple wks ago with red comb and wattles, 4 caught up with her over the weekend, and the rest are just turning red. I put the nest boxes with the golf balls in the coop over the weekend in preparation, but not expectation. They inspected the boxes, pushed around a golf ball, and left a few downy feathers in them. This am I let the girls out in the run, everyone is behaving as usual. I tidied the coop and nest boxes, gave them fresh water and food (grower pellets) as usual. Everythings fine. At 10:30 I hear very loud and unusual Bwaak, Bwaaak. Bwaaks from one of them while the others are all clucking up a storm. When I raced out to see what the commotion was, they immediately quieted. My first thought was "did one of them lay an egg?" since they all appeared calm and quiet as usual. I searched and found nothing. So, are they just weird or "practicing" and should I start looking for eggs?
Sixteen weeks is early for a RIR to start laying. However, it could happen. I'd just assume they are 'practicing' and getting used to the nest boxes and let them be. One fine day soon, you'll actually find that special 1st egg and hear your girl bawking for real!!
