So, my girls are about 21 weeks (ish) and I just opened up their nesting boxes... ...how will I know when they are going to start laying? ...or how will they know to go in the nesting boxes to begin laying? Do I need to do anything specific? I thought I saw put a golf ball in the nesting box? I may have dreamt that though - hard to tell the difference these days. Thanks!
Put a golf ball or fake egg in each nest and you'll see them start to check out the nest a few days before and even sit in them a while. Make sure the nests have soft comfy bedding. Almost anything works, shavings, hay, grass clippings, excelsior mats, etc..
Yes, putting a fake egg gives the girls the right idea. There combs will turn bright red and they may even squat for you when you reach to pet them. Then its just a matter of days!
I used golf balls and put a curtain in front of the boxes, they go inside now with no issues, when you peek under the curtain to see if they are inside, they BOK really loud at you to get out! Its funny! You may have to keep them on lock down for a few extra hours a day till they finish laying....if you ever find secret nests around the yard (I did and this is how I broke mine of it) By noonish, they mostly have laid all the eggs for the day...
