My chickens are approx 6 months old and not laying eggs yet. I am new to raising chickens and allowed them to sleep in their nesting boxes. All six of them piled into one box when they were smaller and now looks like they are three to a box. I have a roost with variable height in the coop. I'm not sure what to do wether I should block the nesting boxes at night and open them during the day? We are hoping they start laying soon?
Welcome to BYC!
Absolutely....time to train them to the roosts for sleeping, pronto.
Onset of lay is commonly between 18-26 weeks, some start earlier-some much later.
If they are showing signs of laying, open them during the day.
Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.
Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!
Vent:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying
Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
