Egg Laying
Signs that a pullet is getting ready to lay her first egg:
Assuming that your chickens are not laying (or already know what they are doing and laying in their nesting box) then how do you know when it is time for you to show your pullet where she should lay her eggs. This might be of interest if you do not wish to go on an egg hunt or rifle through the pooey bedding for the egg!
Physical changes: One of the first indicators that a young pullet is maturing into a hen i.e. egg laying chicken is that her comb and wattles will change from a light pink to a deep red colour. To notice this, you will need to ensure you observe your chickens closely so you know what they look like. The alternative, and if you are really keen, is to take a few pictures (trying to keep light conditions and location the same) so that you can compare. Apparently, you could also examine her vent and pelvic bones through a physical examination but as I have no experience with this- I'll leave it to you to Google and find someone who can explain what to do!
Behavioural changes: Matilda, our bantam Wyandotte, was the first to start laying. What I observed with her has been pretty much what every other chicken (regardless of breed) has done just before laying. The most obvious thing that changed about her behaviour was that instead of running away from me as I reached down to pet her (with great optimism of course)- she SQUATTED. I had read about this behaviour but seriously had no real clue what people were talking about until I saw it in person. The SQUAT is unmistakable as anything else.
Assuming that your chickens are not laying (or already know what they are doing and laying in their nesting box) then how do you know when it is time for you to show your pullet where she should lay her eggs. This might be of interest if you do not wish to go on an egg hunt or rifle through the pooey bedding for the egg!
Physical changes: One of the first indicators that a young pullet is maturing into a hen i.e. egg laying chicken is that her comb and wattles will change from a light pink to a deep red colour. To notice this, you will need to ensure you observe your chickens closely so you know what they look like. The alternative, and if you are really keen, is to take a few pictures (trying to keep light conditions and location the same) so that you can compare. Apparently, you could also examine her vent and pelvic bones through a physical examination but as I have no experience with this- I'll leave it to you to Google and find someone who can explain what to do!
Behavioural changes: Matilda, our bantam Wyandotte, was the first to start laying. What I observed with her has been pretty much what every other chicken (regardless of breed) has done just before laying. The most obvious thing that changed about her behaviour was that instead of running away from me as I reached down to pet her (with great optimism of course)- she SQUATTED. I had read about this behaviour but seriously had no real clue what people were talking about until I saw it in person. The SQUAT is unmistakable as anything else.
The other thing I noticed Matilda doing was hanging around in the coop in one corner. She was rearranging the bedding as if to build a nest around her. For her to be in the coop in the middle of the day was very unusual- basically when the run door was opened she was the first to get out and the last to come in to roost for the night. I thought it was a bit odd but did not do anything. Until I found the egg in the far corner of the coop amongst the poopy bedding. So the next day when I saw her in the coop adjusting the bedding, I picked her up and placed in her the nest box (ready with bedding and fake plastic eggs). She seemed to get it and from then on was happy to lay in the nest box.
Now when I see a chicken starting to do the squat, I will frequently pick her up and place her in the nest box with fake or real eggs so that she gets the idea. So far its worked although I have, on occasion, found an egg in the little coop and in the dirt patch.
Now when I see a chicken starting to do the squat, I will frequently pick her up and place her in the nest box with fake or real eggs so that she gets the idea. So far its worked although I have, on occasion, found an egg in the little coop and in the dirt patch.
Making the nest box cosy:
As suggested by The Chicken Chick and others- I have added nest box curtains to make it darker in there which means the chickens are more likely to use the nest box. I like to use pine shavings as the nesting material and also throw in some lavender from the garden to make it smell lovely and deter pests. I was lucky to find plastic trays (kitty litter tray from the Reject Shop) that fit my nesting box. The advantage of having chickens lay in the tray is that the shavings are mostly kept in the box (chickens like to flick things out all the time!). I also just have to slide it out and tip it over to clean/replace the shavings. The other advantage of a tray is that if there is a broody hen, I am able to take the whole tray out, put it on the ground and then get her off her clutch of eggs. In other words, I am less likely to be pecked by her! Alternatively, one could simply move the tray and hen to their new home if the plan is to hatch chicks. Another important note is that I kept fake eggs in the nest box for a few weeks until I was sure the hens knew where to lay. Now that they lay happily in the nest box I have removed them as the constant presence of eggs can apparently trigger broodiness. I do not know how true this is but I'd rather avoid bringing on unwanted broodiness right now! The other thing I do if there has been an infestation with lice, I will add some dusting powder or DE to the nest box too to kill/deter the critters. |
All About The Eggs
Each chicken breed lays a slightly different colour, size and shape egg from the other. This being said, it is also possible to identify eggs from individual chickens as well. For example; Nina lays a pointy egg whilst Ella lays a more rounded shaped egg. Both are about the same weight though. Also I've noticed that the first few eggs from the chicken are not always 100% identical to the ones they lay later. There are very slight differences in shape and an small increase in egg weight as the young layer matures. For example, my Faverolles initially laid 45-47 g eggs. A couple of months from when they first started, their eggs weigh in at 50 g each. I have to admit that it is easier to figure out which chicken lays which egg if they either start laying one after another than if they all decide to lay in the morning and hang about in the coop waiting for their turn. In my over eager days I used to dash outside to the nest box whenever I heard the 'I've laid an egg, I've laid an egg!" clucking from the chickens. This way i could identify who laid that particular egg. Crazy I know! |
From left to right (two from each breed): Polish, bantam Salmon Faverolle, bantam Wyandotte, Mille Fleur Belgium bantam and Pekin eggs. I took this image at night so the lights have affected the actual egg colours a bit. The Polish eggs are a white egg. On either side of the eggs are 50 cent Australian coins.