When will she lay

[Happy henz1270]

I have a barred rock hen who is about 16 weeks and 3 days. She has been red for about 2 weeks and have been squatting for same amount of time. Lately She been sitting in the nesting box every morning on the fake eggs but nothing is there when she moves. She’s also been pushing for 3 days and she’s eating and drinking fine and she still poops very big poops but she seems very irritable. We can also see the egg in her vent and she’s very moist. If someone can help that would be amazing. Picture of our girl

 

[LaFleche]

Welcome to BYC

16 weeks is quite early to expect a pullet to lay, and even more so during winter.

Can you actually see the egg stuck in her vent? If so, please take a picture and upload for us to better be able to determine what could be wrong.

 

[Happy henz1270]

Welcome to BYC

16 weeks is quite early to expect a pullet to lay, and even more so during winter.

Can you actually see the egg stuck in her vent? If so, please take a picture and upload for us to better be able to determine what could be wrong.

Where we live it’s about 60 to 75 outside no snow and lots of day light I’m not able to get that picture right now but will as soon as possible

 

[LaFleche]

You could give her a calcium tablet (for humans are ok) to help push the egg out.

What exactly do you feed them including all treats?

 

[Happy henz1270]

We feed them layer pellets mixed with layer mash and oysters shells with scratch grins and black soldier flies as treats

 

[LaFleche]

Sometimes they need a little extra calcium for better muscle contraction to push the egg out.

If she is still running around normally, she just takes her time. If she starts to behave like egg bound (standing like a penguin with her tail pointing downwards, pushing and looking ill) it would be time for more help.

 

[Happy henz1270]

She doesn’t act egg bound but she really started putting feathers in the nesting box

 

[LaFleche]

She seems to be very considerate preparing everything to give her first egg a proper welcome.

 

[LaFleche]

Chickens don’t pull out their own feathers to line nests.
Can you see the egg or not?

Mine do which tells me that a pullet will soon start to lay or an adult will soon be broody.

 

[Happy henz1270]

She will also some time squat and push but nothing comes out but still poops normally