What age do you put "fake" egg in nesting boxes?

[Flowerbh]

What age do you put the "fake" egg in the nesting boxes to teach the hens where to lay their eggs? My pullets are only 10 weeks old. Do I wait until they are16-20 weeks old, or should I put them in sooner?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Depends on breed or strain. A hyper quick layer, such as an RSL, I put them in (golf balls) around 16, as they're typically squatting by then as well. I pick up on the cues. Super red combs and face, squatting, some agitated behaviors, things I've seen in many pullets many, many times. Other breeds aren't likely to lay before 22 weeks. It depends.

If I have them already integrated with older laying hens, I don't really have to do anything. The flock dynamics do all the controlling. They dutifully follow their leaders. Monkey see, monkey do.

 

[Fred's Hens]

In a pullet only flock, with no mature hens, I don't provide nesting boxes at all to 12 or 13 week old pullets. They don't have a need for them and they just tend to play in them.

Worse, make a mess.

 

[Flowerbh]

Thanks. I have 9 different breed pullets. I am going for all the different egg colors! So, I guess I will watch for those things you mentioned...red combs, etc. Can't wait for my first eggs.

 

[azygous]

I've noticed that young pullets, around three to four months, do play in nest boxes. However, I've observed this behavior is exploratory, and it's a precursor to laying.

It definitely helps to salt the nest boxes with fake eggs, even when there are older laying hens around to emulate. I put wooden eggs in the nests when the pullets get close to four months.

 

[PoultryGirly]

I would put the egg in right after they lay their first egg and you are having problems with them.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I've noticed that young pullets, around three to four months, do play in nest boxes. However, I've observed this behavior is exploratory, and it's a precursor to laying.

It definitely helps to salt the nest boxes with fake eggs, even when there are older laying hens around to emulate. I put wooden eggs in the nests when the pullets get close to four months.

Agree. Close to 4 months. That is 16 weeks. Exploring is fine, but 10-12 week olds having dorm room fights, constantly kicking out all the bedding, taking a dump in them? Not much fun.

 

[math ace]

I put fake eggs in the laying box when I either see the rooster trying to mount the hen OR if I see the hen squating. Either are a good sign that an egg will be arriving soon

 

[bcbug1]

My birds ignored their nest box until I took the heat lamp out of the coop. Then the 6-8 week old chicks all piled into the one nest box, all on top of each other. I let them as presumably it kept them warm. But, as they got bigger and couldn't all fit (and there was a fair bit of squabbling about you could still fit and who should go), they've taken to roosting now at night (they're currently 13-15 weeks old. If I see poop in the nest boxes I suppose I should block them off until they're 18-20 weeks old and, thanks to this thread, I know to put some 'fake' eggs in.