Ohhh egg anticipation

[J99]

My pullets are 18,17,16 and 15 weeks old some have red faces and will squat now when I touch them I’m so excited I can’t wait lol

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is stressful anticipating but without knowing what breeds you have, now that we are between summer and winter solstice, I'd say you have anywhere from one to three months before you get eggs unless you have already started adding light to the coop.

 

[J99]

Hmmm I don’t add light to the coop and wasn’t planning on it actually I want everything natural but I have some late layers such as orpingtons but I have some early layers too such as polish and mine are all good layers thru the year as they say about these breeds however with this being their first year to lay some of them may wait until Spring but I’m thinking not all of them , I’m sure I’ll be getting eggs the end of this month or next and I also have ducks and they are even older then my pullets so It’s coming soon I think

 

[J99]

Ok I put two fake eggs in two separate boxes today hope hope
I’m going to use golf balls or plastic eggs for the other boxes these ceramic eggs were to expensive to buy enough for all my boxes
How many boxes should I have for thirty pullets?

 

[aart]

Ok I put two fake eggs in two separate boxes today hope hope
I’m going to use golf balls or plastic eggs for the other boxes these ceramic eggs were to expensive to buy enough for all my boxes
How many boxes should I have for thirty pullets?

1 nest for every 3-5 birds.
Put something heavy, like sand, in hollow plastic eggs or they will just get kicked out.
Have you checked pelvic points?
The most significant sign that eggs are imminent is when they start messing up the nests.

 

[TwoShepherds]

The first eggs are so exciting. A few of my 5.5 month old pullets starting laying a week ago today...we've collected 14 eggs so far. I consider any eggs we get this fall/winter to be happy bonuses as I haven't added supplemental lighting to the coop. Be sure to update and post pics when yours start laying--fingers crossed it's soon.

 

[aart]

Best to state birds age in weeks

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I thought it took chickens months..several..I have pullets 14 weeks and I don’t expect anything until spring..I have 43 ducks..and..well..same thing..am I way off..?

 

[aart]

I thought it took chickens months..several..I have pullets 14 weeks and I don’t expect anything until spring..I have 43 ducks..and..well..same thing..am I way off..?

Average onset of lay for most breeds of chickens is 18-28 weeks.
Diet and time of year can have an influence.

Not sure about ducks, other than some breeds are seasonal layers.

 

[Club cramahe coop]

We got our first egg today. 21 1/2 weeks. We have a variety in our small flock but it was our partridge rock we think. She is the only one that has been squatting for about a week or two and getting really vocal. She also jumped in the nest box when I opened it to get the egg. I am hoping a few more start to lay soon but no other ones appear to be squatting. Not sure if all chickens squat prior to the start of laying or not.