When in the day do chickens lay?

[umanduhbree]

This may seem like a silly question, but I'm new to chickens, and my ladies are at the age where they should be laying any day now. I have 10 black austalorps hens, and I was wondering do they prefer to lay in the morning or afternoon? I keep looking several times a day, but still nothing. And do the hens make a certain noise I can listen for? Thanks.

 

[oneofseven]

So far I have 1 out of 5 laying. She will lay anytime before 3 pm. Sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

They can lay anytime during the day. Most of mine lay in the morning but I have had a few lay in the afternoon a couple times. They do make a sound called the egg song that they will make before, during and/or after they lay their egg. It sounds something like "Bok, Bok, Bok Bawwwkawk!" You will know it when you hear it.
Some will also start squating when you approach them, which is another sign that they will be laying eggs very soon.

 

[duckinnut]

Generally as a rule between 7am and 11am. Problem is chickens dont understand rules!!! This morn I had a RIR in the box at 0530. Retreived 5 eggs before 0700. Gotten eggs late in the day too mid afternoon and one when they were headed in for the evening. But new chicks will lay anytime due to the newness of this egglaying business.

 

[chicken farmer 1997]

chickens will lay eggs untill roosting time them they wil skip a day.

 

[theoldchick]

Mine start as soon as the sun rises and stop when the sun sets. Rarely, I'll get a hen who lays while roosting-she roosts on top of the nest boxes so I can find the egg with little difficulty.

 

[misterhandsome]

The two of my six that are laying get a later each day, until they hit 4:00 or later. When it gets to that hour they normally skip the next day. I'm waiting patiently for the others to start pulling their weight!

 

[oneofseven]

Quote:
I know this is off the subject, but one of your neighbors is having trouble with the local ordinances up there. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=554293

 

[misterhandsome]

Quote:
Thanks, oneofseven. I'm going to keep my eye on this one.

 

[bow-chicka-bow-bow]

When they feel like it!

I have one that lays in the morning around 10:00 and then today, we found a second egg this evening around 7:00, so I think one of the other ladies has started to lay. So, it just depends on the chicken.