What happens if they need to lay at night?

[barg]

We got our first egg.. sort of, yesterday.
Recently I turned off their night light.
Does egg production turn off when It's dark, or can they go into laying mode anytime, regardless of what time it is etc..

If they do lay at night, how do they find the nest box, or do they just drop it where they are?

Thanks

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Everything I've read says that they will lay anytime of day, but that's not been my experience. My hens lay in the morning and are usually finished by early afternoon. I'll find some new eggs in the nest as late as 1:00 or 2:00 in the afternoon, but rarely anytime after that. I have heard people mention that they've found a stray egg every now and again under the roost and figured that a hen had dropped it from the roost overnight, but again I've never seen that. They didn't mention if they had night lighting or not. I don't, but they do get just enough light to see from the neighbor's security light that dimly lights our backyard and shines into the coop, almost like a moonlit night, everynight.

 

[MayberrySaint]

They squeeze real tight...

 

[barg]

Guess we will find out.
Domineak layed her first one in the evening.
Mine have very little light without the night light, they are at the back of the yard under a tree.
The lady next door does have a bright light but it only comes on if a cat goes by and it's filtered by the rasberry bushes; They can't see anything at night.

Thanks for the info, and i'll let them know to squeeze.

 

[quiltedchicks]

Interesting subject- recently when I go out in the morning there is always an egg layed out of the nesting boxes, and usually cracked on an end. I had thought they were playing 'football' or something with the egg, until this morning. When I realized it was right underneath the perch, where they are most of the night. I figure one of the hens has taken to laying her egg at night and dropping it. It's always in the same place on the roost. So tonight I'm going to make sure there is plenty of sawdust under that part of the roost.

 

[justusnak]

TYPICALLY.....a hen will lay an egg, every 25 hours. I have had hens lay at night, from the roost. Just drop them on the ground. Thats why under most of my roosts....there is a thick layer of straw. ( also helps with cleaning.LOL

 

[MayberrySaint]

Quote:
Hmmm...I haven't had any night eggs yet. I'm glad there is a bunch of straw under my roosts...

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

Quote:
VERY

The latest ours have done is 4:30-5pm and ours just get natural light.

 

[flinthillbillie]

My hens have started laying over the last couple of weeks and so far I've found 2 'whoopsies' under the night roost.

 

[silkiechicken]

After my girls have gotten used to laying, if they need to lay at night, the go into the nest box and sit there all night.