Preparing for laying

[MelankaT]

I have one hen, a white austra, who might lay as early as 12 weeks. She’ll be that age in late august/early September. The rest of the hens won’t be laying until 20-24 weeks old. That being said, what do I need to do to prep our coop for the one chicken laying but not the others? Is it different than if all of them were to be laying?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have one hen, a white austra, who might lay as early as 12 weeks.

Let us know if it happens. I personally would not count on it.

what do I need to do to prep our coop for the one chicken laying but not the others? Is it different than if all of them were to be laying?

It's no different. Have the nests open with a fake egg in there about a week before there is a possibility that one can start laying. Sometimes they look for a good place to lay about a week before they start. Sometimes, not always. I want my nests to be an option when they are looking. Give them time to scratch bedding and fake eggs out of the nest if they are going to so you can fix it if it happens before real eggs are involved. If they are going to sleep in the nests find out so you can fix it before eggs are involved.