Young layers

[carolwfuller]

i have 4 golden buffs for three weeks. They came from Omlet. I have 4 RI red mixes. I have an eglu cube and they all fit fine. They are free range. I have not had eggs yet. How do I find out if they are laying in the woods. Could they be or is it too early for them to lay?
Also, do the hens just lay at night? There is a nesting box in the cube. They are enclosed from about 8 to 8. :

 

[Mskayladog]

They won't lay till they are 18 weeks or older. How old are your chicks?

 

[carolwfuller]

Hi and thank you from new backyard chicken lover. I got the reds last week and was told they were 17 weeks old. The buffs are from Omlet and were to be 16 wks at least when I got them three weeks ago. They march into the pen at 8 promptly so I will go say goodnight now

 

[LONDON HENS]

They shouldnt lay at night. My hens didnt start laying till about 22-24 weeks so dont worry. Another tip to try and do is put some fake eggs in the nest box and they will get the idea that that is where they should lay when it comes to it. My hens lay morning to mid day.

 

[carolwfuller]

Thanks for the reply. So, do they go back into the coop and the nesting box to lay during the day then? I guess I need to just leave them alone.
I feel like such an idiot with these questions. I did read up before I got them. They all are quite happy wandering around and eating. They march into the coop at sunset like a bunch of soldiers. It is pretty funny. I integrated the two groups of four just last week so perhaps they will lay when they settle down together.

 

[LONDON HENS]

Yes they will go back to the coop when they want to lay an egg. But this is only if they have chosen the coop to lay their eggs, You mentioned they live in the woods during the day. You will have to monitor them and see if they have found somewhere else that they feel is better for laying eggs. If they find a nice secluded bush or dark spot they may lay there...

 

[devora]

You'll need to teach them that their coop is where they need to lay. Easiest way is to keep them in the coop until they do so. Wooden eggs in the nestboxes help as well.

 

[carolwfuller]

Thanks! I will try that for the next three days, then I am away with a hen feeder for three days. I have put an egg shaped rock in the nesting box. Can also add a golf ball if needed. If they are upset with the coop and run I will put a dog pen made of wire at the entrance to give them more room. The four reds did fly out of that their second night here. Two made it in to the Night coop and two did not but when I got home they were docilely nesting on top on the sun screen and I picked them up one by one and put them to bed. Fun with chickens!

 

[carolwfuller]

My hens are doing great! I am reliably getting 5 eggs from the 8, 4 buffs and 4 reds. The eggs vary so in size. I am having my husband bring a scale so I can weigh them. I can tell from reading here that at least one of the golden buffs is still immature.
We ( me and 8 grandkids and most their folk ) are so happy with these hens. It is such a joy to see them walking around in the yard and everyday is exciting to take an egg.
One thing I did right was to stop closing the door of the coop. They are enclosed in the eglu pen. This allows them to come out in the morning at sunrise and begin eating. My hens seem to be morning layers so by the time we get out there around 8 there are two or three eggs already
I am so glad we did this. The only problem is our neighbors complaining. We have three acres and they are on the other side but they still have found their perfect grass and professionally planted flowers. Oh well, we are putting up fencing so we will see. I will not give up the hens!
Thank for the forum and the advice I got