Nest boxes and laying

[gumpsgirl]

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I knew you understood it, I was just clarifying myself to others.

As for what you are confused about, if they do free range, you will want to lock them in the run (not coop) for a week or so until they get used to laying where you want them to, which is the nesting boxes. The idea is to close quarters off so they will get used to laying where they are suppose to lay. It should only take no more than a week and then they can go back to free ranging.

 

[gjoyner]

ooh..ok. I see. i was a bit confused. thanks so much for the input all of you!

 

[Rockpile99]

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I LOVE easter egg hunts!

I was afraid of the same thing, while my pullets are in a pen, it does not have a top to it so they can really get out whenever they want to. I only have one laying right now (it's been a week) and I did not have nest boxes ready when she started laying. She still choose the spot where I had intended to put the boxes.

I was home yesterday so let them truly free range - no need to hop the fence. I was able to watch her stop her free ranging and return to the coop about mid morning. Then I heard her scratching around in my newly installed nest boxes. Sure enough, she used it the first time it's been available to her.

I'll bet that with you already having them ready to go, that the girls have probably already scoped out the nest boxes and decided that they look like a nice dark and quiet place. After the shock of the first couple eggs, I'm sure they will want to lay in the nice secluded boxes.

 

[Malou-La-Croix]

I am new to chickens and have two red sex links that are about 20 weeks. They started doing the 'squat' 2 days ago, much to my delight. You will know the squat when you see it--it is quite distinct. Since my girls free range from morning until late afternoon I have wanted to make sure they understand what the nest box in their coop is for. I have been placing them into the nest boxes over the past few weeks. Usually they would stand there for a second and then jump down. Today I put them in and it was a totally different story. She hunkered down in the nest (where I have placed 2 golf balls) and clucked for about five minutes. She also picked at the shavings as she sat there, as if arranging the nest to her liking. The other was really interested and hopped in there as well and then SHE hunkered down. After a while they both hopped out and went on with their scratching outside the coop. So I think if you put them into the nest a few times a day, once they start getting the urge to lay they will "get it". I have no eggs yet but it should be another week!

 

[gjoyner]

I have nest boxes with a roof lid on the outside the coop. I have a hard time catching the little buggers.

 

[2DogsFarm]

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My Squatter is by no means my friendlest hen - she was always first to run from the Hand of Death. Neither of my Black Stars is nearly as friendly as the Delawares.
But in the last 3 weeks she has sprouted a bright red comb and wattles - way larger & brighter than any of the others - and her squat is classic Wings-out/Where's the Roo? described here.

2nd in line is one of my Delawares judging from comb/wattle development. I got $1 that says she's squatting next

At the far end of the line is my Houdan - she is a ditz & a Diva and may never lay at all - but for amusement value she has a home forever.
Last week she ran into a wall heading back to the coop...
No damage done, except maybe to her pride.

 

[Metanoia]

I have one that runs up and loves pats
Two that are ok with pats
One that squats and you can pat her for 5-10 seconds before she thinks to move away
And two that run away unless I have food and I usually only get a tail pat in

I think I'll have to get a photo of the wierd squatter if I can and see what everyone thinks. Whether it is a pre-laying behaviour, or a "are you the rooster?" behaviour...

 

[moonflowers]

I am worried about the same thing. Out of my 8 girls, 2 have bright red combs and wattles. One (she's 19.5 weeks old) is squatting for me every chance she gets. I was just outside and she squatted for me. I pet her back for like 3-4 MINUTES and she still wasn't satisfied. I stopped petting her and walked away and she was still squatting for a little while before she got up. I am hoping this means she is close to laying. I uncovered my nestboxes a couple days ago and put in some old glass eggs. I just hope she uses them, I'm worried she'll lay and the others will eat it before I even know it's there.

 

[Davaroo]

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Place the nests so they are adjacent to the roosts and then don't let the hens out until late in the morning, after they've had the chance to use the nests.

Chickens are like little kids - you have to regulate them as best you can, since they are unable to do it for themselves...

 

[gjoyner]

My chickens dont like me petting them at all. Its weird cuz I had them in my office in a brooder until they had feathers and were put in the coop! They run away unless I have food. It seems everyone on here has cuddley chickens. It didnt bother me that much because I sort of thought chickens didnt like to be handled much..but it seems as though maybe they do!