Question about egg laying

[quiltnchik]

I have 4 BR pullets that are somewhere between 20-22 weeks old (the guy at the feed store wasn't sure of their exact age when I bought them). I've noticed a couple of them developing the typical comb/wattles of a pullet getting ready to lay, and was wondering if they'll lay in the nest box or do I have to worry about them laying while they're out free-ranging? I have an old White House wooden egg (my friend's husband went to the Easter egg roll at the White House a few years ago) in the nest box, and someone has been turning it daily, so will they realize this is where they're supposed to lay their eggs? I really don't feel like doing an Easter egg hunt over 3 acres!

 

[Wynette]

I would most definitley NOT freerange them in the mornings. I'd do it after 4 p.m., as they typically lay before then. I say "typically" - not always.

If you are noticing the fake eggs is being turned around and messed with, it means they've found the nest box and realize that's where they are to lay. Shouldn't be much longer now!

 

[cmom]

I have golf balls in my nest boxes. My birds fuss with the golf ball and arrange then in the nest boxes with their eggs. Today I found two golf balls in one nest box. I don't know how they did it. I have one ball in each nest box.