Starting to lay over the winter?

[KatelynC]

I have a question for the more experienced than I. We have a brand new flock of five hens (Rhode island red, welsummer, Easter egger, BPR, golden laced Wyandotte). They were born in mid-june, and we have had them since they were 3 days old. They have not started laying yet, but some of them are starting to squat, their Combs are bright red and at least a couple of them have a widened pelvic area of two fingers (instead of one). We do not have them with supplemental light, so my question is whether we should open up the nesting boxes over the winter. Is there any chance of them actually starting to lay here in western New York before spring? We had the nesting boxes open four to six weeks ago, but they were using it as a latrine. I made a new roosting bar even higher than the nesting boxes, and closed up the nesting boxes to force them to use the higher roosting bar, and they're using it now, but I'm worried about opening nesting boxes up and then going back to having a bad habit if they're not actually going to lay yet. Thoughts? If you don't think I should open up the nesting boxes yet, when do you think I should? February, March? Thanks!! Katelyn

 

[Chickapop]

My RIR born the first week of July just started laying this week - in CT. She's the first of my 4 to lay.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would open up the nest boxes now for 2 reasons: 1) they are probably getting close to laying and 2) you want to find out now if they're going to go back to sleeping in the nests, rather than waiting until there's already eggs and they end up pooping on them. In my experience once they begin squatting you'll get eggs in 10-20 days from onset of squatting.

 

[Charlenesmom]

I have a question for the more experienced than I. We have a brand new flock of five hens (Rhode island red, welsummer, Easter egger, BPR, golden laced Wyandotte). They were born in mid-june, and we have had them since they were 3 days old. They have not started laying yet, but some of them are starting to squat, their Combs are bright red and at least a couple of them have a widened pelvic area of two fingers (instead of one). We do not have them with supplemental light, so my question is whether we should open up the nesting boxes over the winter. Is there any chance of them actually starting to lay here in western New York before spring? We had the nesting boxes open four to six weeks ago, but they were using it as a latrine. I made a new roosting bar even higher than the nesting boxes, and closed up the nesting boxes to force them to use the higher roosting bar, and they're using it now, but I'm worried about opening nesting boxes up and then going back to having a bad habit if they're not actually going to lay yet. Thoughts? If you don't think I should open up the nesting boxes yet, when do you think I should? February, March? Thanks!! Katelyn

My Rhode Island Red hen is approx 6 months old, just started laying on Dec. 6...lays one just about every day.
I’ve heard that RIR’s lay during cold weather. Mine sure is!

 

[1cock2hens]

yes pullets will very often lay through there first winter

 

[KatelynC]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I asked!
Katelyn

 

[WindingRoad]

I have a question for the more experienced than I. We have a brand new flock of five hens (Rhode island red, welsummer, Easter egger, BPR, golden laced Wyandotte). They were born in mid-june, and we have had them since they were 3 days old. They have not started laying yet, but some of them are starting to squat, their Combs are bright red and at least a couple of them have a widened pelvic area of two fingers (instead of one). We do not have them with supplemental light, so my question is whether we should open up the nesting boxes over the winter. Is there any chance of them actually starting to lay here in western New York before spring? We had the nesting boxes open four to six weeks ago, but they were using it as a latrine. I made a new roosting bar even higher than the nesting boxes, and closed up the nesting boxes to force them to use the higher roosting bar, and they're using it now, but I'm worried about opening nesting boxes up and then going back to having a bad habit if they're not actually going to lay yet. Thoughts? If you don't think I should open up the nesting boxes yet, when do you think I should? February, March? Thanks!! Katelyn

I live in Maine. Plenty cold. About 2 weeks ago -9F in the morning. Chickens came out. I have 2 SLW I got around T-day at 16 weeks about 2 weeks later early Dec they started laying. My ISABrown lays most days. And my Buff maybe 2-3 a week. They are in their second winter of laying. So I get like 1 egg on Monday, 2 eggs on Tuesday.2 eggs on Wednesday. Seems like I do get NO eggs one day a week. I didn't have eggs for breakfast today and there are 3 eggs on my counter. 1 yesterday, 2 today. Mostly lay over night but sometimes into late morning. I'm retired so I'm out there every couple of hours to check. If I don't have an egg by noon time I'm done for that day. But yes they will lay in the winter. First time. My 2 SLW alternate days I think. Their eggs were under 60 grams but now after 3-4 weeks they are in the 60's

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I asked!
Katelyn

I'm glad you asked, too! I am in the same situation. My nesting boxes are open, but I was wondering if there's start laying in the winter. If they are starting to lay in CT, then I am good in CA. Thanks, everyone!

 

[HeyHo]

I agree with the above comments -- you want the girls checking out the boxes and to know whether there are any issues now. One of my pullets just started laying last week and has been laying daily since. So if your girls start, they could keep right on going!

 

[sourland]

I would open up the nest boxes now for 2 reasons: 1) they are probably getting close to laying and 2) you want to find out now if they're going to go back to sleeping in the nests, rather than waiting until there's already eggs and they end up pooping on them. In my experience once they begin squatting you'll get eggs in 10-20 days from onset of squatting.

Makes sense to me. Day light period is increasing, and they may very well about to lay.