STRANGE behavior in young golden comet

[FarmeRoach]

Hello,
I have a golden comet, she is approaching 4 months old. This morning I heard through the coop monitor one of the hens making a lot of ruckus, I figured they wanted to free roam so I let them out. And ever since Red has been walking around seemingly looking for something while making noises? I looked her over and she has no injuries. I am thinking she might want to lay her first egg? But she seems too young. Any ideas?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hello,
I have a golden comet, she is approaching 4 months old. This morning I heard through the coop monitor one of the hens making a lot of ruckus, I figured they wanted to free roam so I let them out. And ever since Red has been walking around seemingly looking for something while making noises? I looked her over and she has no injuries. I am thinking she might want to lay her first egg? But she seems too young. Any ideas?

That is very likely it. It's the same behavior I see in many of my hens who are getting ready to lay.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I have had several sexlinks start laying at around 16 weeks

 

[FarmeRoach]

Thank you! How exciting! I had a vintage nesting box, with eight spaces, but I think they are too small because she avoided them. So I put together a quick box with hay and she loved it, she laid down, started making her nest but then one of the other chickens interrupted. She hopped up and made alarm and now she hasn't returned to the box. Do you think that she will?

 

[aart]

They can make a ruckus for a couple weeks before laying.

I had a vintage nesting box, with eight spaces, but I think they are too small because she avoided them.

Too small or not easily accessed?
Pics of nests?
Now is the time to 'train' her to use the nests you want her to use.

..and perfect time to learn to do 'pelvic exams'....
...and more tips on how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Now is the time to 'train' her to use the nests you want her to use.

Hallelujah, I made the mistake of worrying they wouldn't lay and started putting out baskets, my husband made a new box, bought a couple old plastic tubs trying to see what they liked - BIG mistake, with the new set I just made sure the golf balls were in the built in nest box and have not put in any other extra baskets etc, whew, so much easier....

 

[Mosey2003]

She'll go back again. 4 months is bang-on for a Golden Comet, sexlinks should be laying right around 16 weeks.

 

[leighks]

My red sex link hatched on 4/13 and laid her 1st egg on 8/12, just about spot on for 16 weeks. Get ready for an egg soon!!

 

[FarmeRoach]

They can make a ruckus for a couple weeks before laying.


Too small or not easily accessed?
Pics of nests?
Now is the time to 'train' her to use the nests you want her to use.

..and perfect time to learn to do 'pelvic exams'....
...and more tips on how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Twice since then I have heard her on the monitor and when I go to check she is in the new nesting boxes, still no egg though. On the 12th of this month she'll be 4 months old.
I have since taken out the old nesting boxes, built a shelf, a ladder leading up to it and placed 3 crates on it with fresh bedding and fake eggs. She seems happy with it, I hope the other ladies like them as well!!
I have been checking her vent, but with no knowledge of what exactly I am looking for, so I really appreciate the link. Thanks greatly!