When will she lay?

[jennaveewhit]

Does anyone know if my hen Cookie (Plymouth Barred Rock) looks close to laying? She’s 16 weeks 3 days. I’m so excited for the first egg! Do they lay at anytime during the day? I’m leaving the coop door open since they free range in our fenced yard.

 

[Dreammaker]

I don't have experience with Barred Rocks, but she looks like my pullets did about 6-8 weeks before their first egg. When they reached Point of Lay, their comb and wattles had grown bigger and redder than Cookie's are right now. So, my guess is Cookie will be about 20-24 weeks when she lays. Could take a couple months longer though; I had one chicken take 10 months to lay her first egg! She will get there though; don't worry! In the meantime, she's really cute!

As for time of day, mine laid at all different times. One was around 6 PM, one was early in the morning. I don't think they get into a groove until a few weeks of laying.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with Dressmaker - I figure about 4 weeks after the redden up hard, a very bright red. Not quite there yet.

 

[aart]

Do you have nests in the coop all ready to go, with some fake eggs in them?
Do you have other chickens?

She may or may not lay in the nests, she may lay out in the range area.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.


Here's some tips about how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[jennaveewhit]

Do you have nests in the coop all ready to go, with some fake eggs in them?
Do you have other chickens?

She may or may not lay in the nests, she may lay out in the range area.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.


Here's some tips about how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

This is great information! Thank you! I think putting them in the run and open coop until noon everyday for awhile is a great idea! They have enough room for sure.