New behavior that I don't understand

[LittleFlock458]

I have 7 Easter eggers. The are all due to start laying but have not left any eggs for me. Over the past couple days a few of the chickens squat down like they are ready to get mated every time I go near them. This is a new behavior some of them liked to get petted especially on the neck. But these few get low and puff out a little even if I brush against them walking by.

So my question is. Does that mean I'm going to get an egg soon? Is that something they do when they are ready to lay? I have never owned chickens so I don't know what's going on.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

That can be a sign that they will lay soon, yes.

How old are they?

 

[LittleFlock458]

Almost 26 weeks so I'm thinking it should be soon.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

They could start laying soon, but it can take up to eight months and sometimes longer to get that first egg.

 

[drumstick diva]

Do their combs look redder and larger? That usually means they are about to lay. Have their examined the nest boxes? You can put a golf ball or two in each nest, to give them the idea that eggs go there.

 

[ChickenMama6RIR]

Yes!!! Thats a good sign that they are about read to lay! Also keep an ear out for the egg song! It goes (clears throat) bak bak BAKKK bak bak bak bak BAKK BAKKKK It shouldn't be any more than a few weeks, but sometimes it will be longer than that.
Signed,
www.bootsandchickenpoop.wix.com/mysite Co-Author!

 

[LittleFlock458]

Not sure if the combs are redder and larger. But I like the golf ball idea. They have been examining the nesting box that I'm sure of. Thanks for the tip. Will plastic Easter eggs work instead of golf balls. I have a ton of those.


Mama6 I could hear that song in my head and it sounds wonderful.

I'm getting very excited over here.

 

[ChickenMama6RIR]

Thank you, thank you! Be sure to post a pic of their first eggs!!!

 

[aart]

Not sure if the combs are redder and larger. But I like the golf ball idea. They have been examining the nesting box that I'm sure of. Thanks for the tip. Will plastic Easter eggs work instead of golf balls. I have a ton of those.


Mama6 I could hear that song in my head and it sounds wonderful.

I'm getting very excited over here.

The squatting(yes, shows they are ready to mate) can happen several weeks ahead of actual eggs being laid.
I've found that the messed up nests is a sure sign of eggs within a week.
That they are messing the nests means they know where to lay....you can still put a few fake eggs in.
The plastic easter eggs are best if filled with sand for weight, or they will likely scratch them right out of the nests.



Pasting my whole blurb about onset of lay:
New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
Tho not all birds will do this, especially if there's a cockbird in the flock.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[LittleFlock458]

Wow aart thank you for the info. That was great. I'm gonna inspect the girls and get some sand in my plastic eggs.

Don't worry mama. I'll get those pics up when I get those eggs.