When they would start laying? Any signs

[watson35]

Okay, I got a few hens and they haven’t started laying yet but what are some signs when they are about to start laying?

 

[sealer39]

Start expecting eggs beginning at about 18 weeks of age.
Their combs and wattles will get bigger and redder.
They will begin to enter or explore their nest boxes and probably kick out the bedding.
They may get more vocal.
They will squat if you reach down to pet them.

 

[sayccrn]

Thank you! Kind of to piggy back on this question. I have my nest boxes blocked off. I believe the oldest ones are about a month from laying. One of them in particular has been trying to get behind the little wall I made. And I noticed today an little round nest like area in the pine this morning. Should I let them start the explore their nest boxes? Is it time? I have heard here to wait to they start to lay. But won't she have a better chance of laying in the nest box, if she is used to it? Advice? Please and thank you!

 

[sealer39]

I would. You can put golf balls or fake eggs in the nest boxes to encourage them to use the boxes. You may want to make sure they are using their roost instead of sleeping in that hollowed our spot you found. You don’t want chickens to sleep in the nest boxes because they’ll poop in them at night.

 

[CatsandCrops]

I would open up the boxes. I found two of my girls exploring the nests a few days before they both laid - they were like Goldie Locks, this one is too soft, this one is too hard, let me kick out all of the bedding in this one and kick it into the one next to it to make a super nest.. Ya know, chicken things lol

 

[sayccrn]

I would. You can put golf balls or fake eggs in the nest boxes to encourage them to use the boxes. You may want to make sure they are using their roost instead of sleeping in that hollowed our spot you found. You don’t want chickens to sleep in the nest boxes because they’ll poop in them at night.

they definitely sleep on the roosts, by the 'poop pattern' in the morning! lol Thank you! I have 4 small fake eggs, should I put them all in one box or split them 2 to a box?

 

[sayccrn]

I would open up the boxes. I found two of my girls exploring the nests a few days before they both laid - they were like Goldie Locks, this one is too soft, this one is too hard, let me kick out all of the bedding in this one and kick it into the one next to it to make a super nest.. Ya know, chicken things lol

Awww...that's so cute! I wish I could get a camera for inside. I would love to watch their behaviors, like Jane and her gorillas. lol

 

[sealer39]

they definitely sleep on the roosts, by the 'poop pattern' in the morning! lol Thank you! I have 4 small fake eggs, should I put them all in one box or split them 2 to a box?

I’d put them in all the boxes and let the chickens decide where they want to lay. Fake eggs will also let you know if you have snakes or other predators visiting your coop. They will steal or eat the fake eggs, so if any come up missing you can deal with the predator before the chickens start laying.

 

[sayccrn]

I’d put them in all the boxes and let the chickens decide where they want to lay. Fake eggs will also let you know if you have snakes or other predators visiting your coop. They will steal or eat the fake eggs, so if any come up missing you can deal with the predator before the chickens start laying.

Well, I guess that is good then, cuz I have had all 4 eggs in there since I got them and I still have 4 eggs. so I guess that is snake proof?! God, I hope so! I worked very hard to protect them, and me, I hate snakes. there is hardware cloth at every crack!

 

[sayccrn]

I also cannot place them in there, they have to find it on their own. It's a small coop, I made, I can reach in from the back of the coop and get the eggs, but it is too far back from the front of the coop. By the way, the one seems to want to get back there, I am thinking it won't be a problem? IDK.