Change in behaviour

[carolb0101]

My 3 girls are now about 21 weeks old, so 3 days ago I started mixing their growers with layers pellets so that they get used to the change gradually. I also opened up the nesting box so they have access to it.

Today the 2 Wyandottes started going in and out of the coop and scratching about in the bedding and being very vocal. They were in and out all day. Is this a sign that they are geting ready to lay?

The Jersey Giant who is the same age never went inside.

NB The coop door has alwys been left open and they have never gone back inside during the day.

 

[Chuck]

Probably another milestone in their development towards maturity but 21 weeks is still a bit young.

 

[Marigold]

Agree with Chuck, as they are only 21 weeks and the days a getting darker and shorter, you will be lucky if they lay before the winter equinox. Purebred pullets are usually later coming int lay than hybrids, 25-28+ weeks is normal, and by that time the light will be so low that it will probably be insufficient to stimulate their pituitary glands into lay. However, even if they dont mKe itnthis autumn, they will go on growing and maturing steadily and be stronger hens and probably better layers when they do start in Spring. But chickens are full of surprises and you never know when they will spring that first exciting egg!
Are their combs red and bigger than a few weeks ago? And do they crouch and spread their wings if you touch their backs, expecting a cockerel? Along with inspecting the nestboxes, these are reliable signs that they may lay soon.

 

[carolb0101]

I thought they are still a bit young and I don't think their combs have changed.

Do chickens lay before they come out of the coop first thing in the morning, or will they want to go back inside at various times of the day?

Should we shut the coop door when they come out now, or leave it open as we usually do?

 

[NEWTODUCKS]

Hi,
Chickens lay at various times of the day-vary rarely before they get"up" in the morning. They generally, in my experiance anyway, don't lay after 4pm but it can be anytime up to then.

 

[Marigold]

Most hens take 25 hours to develop an egg so the time tends to move on day by day until after a few days they have a day off, then are back to laying early in the morning (after breakfast as has been said!) and then a little later each day. But I have a little Blacktail pullet who started on the dot at 20 weeks and has laid every single day by 8.00a.m. In the three weeks since then. The Leghorn hybrid who is exactly the same age hasnt laid yet, at 23 weeks, though I think it won't be very long before she does. Mysterious creatures, chickens!
Oh yes leave the door open all the time. Exploring the boxes is a good sign of interest and you never know when they are going to pop in and lay their first little beauty!

 

[Chuck]

They will lay at any time during the day and occasionally from the perch at night, so they need access all day. The majority lay in the morning though. Leghorns, White and Black in particular nearly always lay in the morning and have for many years had a reputation for doing so.

 

[Marigold]

In any case, even with birds you know won't lay, it's good to leave the pophole open to let the coop air out during the day as much as possible. One less little job to do!