my hens bare nest lay

[joerobscatfarm]

Going into the winter, I had 2 layers and the third was holding out due to motling. As the winter solstice approached, both my layers stopped for about 4 days, then resumed about 1 egg every other day (so I got 1-2 eggs a day, and some days none). As January warmed up in our region, I was surprised to start getting 3 - yes! Josephine began to lay - in the middle of winter. Now that the weather is colder again, I'm back to 1 or 2 a day. My Genevieve seems to be the most consistent layer.

So....as long as they all appear healthy, I don't think you should be too concerned until Spring (warmer weather and longer days).

 

[ange]

yes, mine seem healtrhy, they eat amd roam and scratch, just curious as to how many are laying, since i am new to this and the hens also. I AM looking to add to my flock also, and want to make sure I DO IT RIGHT

 

[joerobscatfarm]

Landenberg is in the SE corner of PA - where the Mason Dixon line meets the top arc of Delaware. Just dug out from 2 ft of snow.

 

[ange]

oh so pretty pictures, we are far from you, we are in finger lakes area, was hopping to find chicken buddies,

 

[ange]

we usually getn this snow storm storm, but...this time no luck

 

[rancher hicks]

If your hens are laying on bare wood, there is not enough bedding in the nest. I personally don't use wood shavings in nest boxes. I use hay or straw. Wood shaving on the floor. I don't want them to confuse the nest box w/ the floor. Further I just stuff that box full of straw or hay. They'll get in and make the nest nice and cozy.
I also put a wooden egg in each box. They still like to lay in the same box. But if someone else is in it they have options. I've had two hens side by side. Must be a girl thing.

 

[ange]

I ALSO hvae two eggs side by side, so am thinking they are laying sider by side, but at the same time, or just one after another? I will add the straw to the nest box and see if it helps, the nest box is full of wood shavings, b ut maybe they want the straw instead?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The normal recommendation is one nesting box for every four hens. There is no real reason to take your extras out, especially since you are looking for more hens, but they do like to lay in the same box.

Most of the time, they do like to roost together. Perfectly normal.

I have 7 pullets about the same age as yours. I know all of them are laying. So far this month I have gotten 3, 6, 5, 5, 2, 6, and 4 eggs per day so no, they do not always lay each day. Are all yours laying? I don't know. Probably at least three and maybe all four. If you occasionally get an egg that is darker than the others, that is probably the Welsummer, but there is no absolute guarantee that the Welsummer will lay an egg that is darker than the others.

 

[ange]

I DO have a egg that is darker then the others sometime, so am not sure who is laying and who is not, THAT is why I THought that if i was to know how many eggs a day, 4 hens should lay, i might be able to firgure it our. IN the warmer weather I PLAN ON Being out there when they lay and try to catch the laying, and markm it so I KNOW for duture use and knowledge. I WANT TO START selling eggs, since I ALRERADY have people who want them

 

[Casey3043]

I like to buy the bags of recycled cardboard/paper which the pet stores sell for hamster or gerbil bedding. It's clean and soft, and not very expensive. It's also brown, so if some falls out on the ground, it doesn't make your place look like a trash dump. The hens like it in their nest boxes, and it absorbs the occasional broken egg or accidental poop nicely. It goes in the compost when dirty, and breaks down quicker than wood shavings.