When to expect eggs? Do I really have to teach them???

[sallyjayd]

I bought my first one (Red Sex-link ??) 4/25/09

I bought my second two (barren rock mix ?? & red sex-link??) 5/1/09

I bought last one (RIR ??) 5/13/08

But I think they were all older then a day when I got them. I got them from tractor supply

Here are some pictures today 8/24/2009

How old do you think they are and when can I expect eggs. and mom was saying something about I need to teach them where to lay.
what

All I was expecting was "free range" buying the keeping the warm til they got bigger, letting the free range and giving them a dog house for laying and stay warm and dry in at night.

THEN, my husband HAD to build a coop, put up a fence (now they fly out of it anyways). They do go to it at night to sleep and feel safe (this is where they go if there is any big noises).

AND now talking to mom she saids I got to train them...

I though chickens would be easy.

more picture taken today

is this nest box okay or what should be changed? someone said I had to put an egg in "where I want them to lay" Like they would think it fell out their butt ok I boiled an egg and put it in there. will this work or does it need to be different?

the egg in it is boiled "trying to encourage them to lay

 

[Nostalchic]

If we had to teach them, I guess we'd have to know how to do it!? For me, a problem (no idea!) For them, not... just comes naturally. You should start getting some little pullet eggs between 4 and 6 months, with the breeds you have.
I was thinking, though, looking at all the nice shrubs and good cover where your chickens are, they might like to find a quiet secluded spot in there to use as a nest - you'll have to check around your yard when the time comes; they can be pretty secretive...

 

[The Chicken People]

The closer they get to laying their faces will get redder! Put golf balls in the nest boxes! Do they try to nest in those boxes? If not I would consider some alterations in side like building a box that has a divider in the middle ...two nest boxes should be sufficient!12 in by 12 in!

 

[sallyjayd]

Okay question (we have no rooster) will they be inclined to sleep were they lay or will I have to look because the will lay somewhere and sleep someplace else?

They always go to the coop to sleep or when a noise scares them or if I send Ted (our giant schnauzer pup) to find them that is the first place that they run.... but during the day the hang out under the porch.

That's kind of why my husband built that darn coop. he didn't want to egg hunt (then wonder how long it's been there.

Mom said I could train them to lay in the coop

when and where to look

So I'm looking for red faces....cool
but I don't quite understand

Do they try to nest in those boxes?

how can i tell? what ya mean nest???

they sleep on and in them. some sleep in them, some roost on the sides.
is this nesting?​

 

[Eggs4Sale]

You have no rooster, but do you have a roost?

 

[sallyjayd]

 

[sallyjayd]

nope no roost just the sides of the boxes
is this a problem?

 

[BroomFarm]

SallyJ,

Chickens like to have an elevated roost, where they will sleep, and a nesting box (2 sides, top, bottom and back) where they will lay eggs. Providing each of these, in a well-ventilated, but enclosed coop is ideal.

When they do start laying, they might lay just about anywhere, but you can encourage them to use the boxes you provide, so as to avoid Easter-egg hunts every day. You can read through the posts in here, but the basic idea is to put them and their eggs where you want them to lay, each morning after they start laying.

Oh, in addition to red faces (combs and wattles) watch your chickens to see if they "squat" when you try to pick them up. If a hen does that, she's either laying, or very close to it.

 

[sallyjayd]

SHE was "squatting" for a while It looked as if I was scaring the poo or an egg out of her but with no poop or no egg. (but she it made her easy to catch)

I got my first egg EVER on Wednesday evening right next to eggmond (the fake egg with a face)

LOOK here's a picture.

Husband couldn't believe I was taking a pic of it to put on the net.
I've been so excited just couldn't find the time to post

but it is smaller the my store bought ones?

Do they get bigger after time?

Got another one yesterday, but it still small

 

[ChickMoma73]

Yes the eggs will usually get bigger as they lay more eggs. I just got some first eggs from my young flock and the eggs are tiny as well