Time of day for egg laying?

[fivstar]

Very new to poultry, have 7 chickens now 16 weeks old. None ready to lay yet as far as I can tell, but I'm trying to prepare. I'm wondering if there is a time of day (or night) that chickens favor for egg laying. Our chickens free-range during the day and come into their coop at night, where there is a roost and laying boxes.

They like our fruit trees so much, I'm wondering if they will want to lay their eggs under the trees there. So I thought if chickens lay any particular time of day, I could make sure they stay in the coop at that time. But if they lay at all different times, then I'll just have to pay attention and check under the fruit trees daily. Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[marianne7]

Very new to poultry, have 7 chickens now 16 weeks old. None ready to lay yet as far as I can tell, but I'm trying to prepare. I'm wondering if there is a time of day (or night) that chickens favor for egg laying. Our chickens free-range during the day and come into their coop at night, where there is a roost and laying boxes.

They like our fruit trees so much, I'm wondering if they will want to lay their eggs under the trees there. So I thought if chickens lay any particular time of day, I could make sure they stay in the coop at that time. But if they lay at all different times, then I'll just have to pay attention and check under the fruit trees daily. Any thoughts are welcome!

Chickens usually lay eggs in the morning, have had chickens for about 5 years, and thet can start from as early as 6 am, however, they do lay eggs after lunch time too, but mostly mornings...- Marianne

 

[En Plein Air Farms]

I've always kept the girls in until about 11 AM. Once in awhile one would come back to the nests in the afternoon and lay.

 

[fivstar]

Thanks, Marianne, that's a big help.I sure would rather they lay in the coop! I'll start monitoring them in a few weeks to see how they do.

 

[fivstar]

Thanks once again. I have a better idea now of what to expect. I have a mixed flock - 1 NH Red, 2 Australorps, 2 sex-link, and 2 Black-laced Wyandottes. I'm assuming they will mature at different times, which is fine, but I just thought it best to get an idea what to expect. It would be great if they would go back to the coop to lay!

 

[7L Farm]

Mine free range everyday & go back to the coop to lay.