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When The Hens Lay Their Eggs
How To Know When Chickens Start To
Lay Eggs
poultryfeedformulation
One
of the most exciting times for a first time chicken owner is that glorious
moment once the hens lay their eggs!
Often this moment is going to be a joyous surprise, even while
for some owners, the more it takes the more nervous they become – “is something wrong with the chicken,” ”are they sick,” ”do they need to spend more time in the nesting boxes,” ”am I feeding
them the wrong food?”
The
majority of the time these queries only cause unnecessary nerves and
frustration, even if what your flock needs most is support and patience.
As
you await your chickens to lay their egg you need to be composed, calm and
caring, not anxious and overbearing.
Here
are some of the greatest things you can do to help your hens as they get ready
to lay their first eggs.
When
do hens normally start laying?
Generally
speaking most hens will begin laying between 18 to 24 weeks.
This
having been said, some breeds who are not renowned for being productive layers
can endure as long as the year to create their very first tasty egg.
Finding
out the age and breed of your pullets is a really practical way to keep track
of your expectations during these first few months, since you will be able to
track their progress and see whether anything is out of the ordinary.
How
do you produce the right setting conditions to your flock?
There
are a whole lot of variables that affect your flock’s likelihood of becoming
energetic and productive little layers.
Ensuring
you meet all your chickens’ fundamental needs, concerning food, shelter and water,
as well as creating a serene and tranquil environment, will ultimately result
in your chickens feeling relaxed and healthy enough to lay.
Humans have been caring for chickens for thousands of years.
As somebody who cares for chickens it is your obligation to make
sure that your hens have a great safe place to lay which will keep them
protected from the elements and whatever predators might be lurking on them.
Nesting
Boxes
The
general guideline is that each nesting box can accommodate 3 to 4 chickens —
not in precisely the exact same time of course! Nesting boxes also need to be
warm, comfy and quiet, which will aid your hens feel safe and secure, while
they attempt to stay focused and lay their initial few eggs.
Daylight
One
of the most important factors is daylight. Chickens need at least 10-14 hours
of daylight to get their bodies to create any eggs.
This
is the reason why the majority of chickens stop laying during chilly and winter
months.
But
if your pullets are not let out of the coop, then they will also cease laying,
even if it’s sunny and warm outside.
That’s
why coop accessories like the Automatic Door are so important, particularly if
you’re the type of chicken owner that finds it hard to get out of bed early in
the morning.
Great
Nutrition
Pullets
need additional protein in their diet, as their bodies aren’t only getting
ready to lay eggs, they’re also still doing heaps of growing!
Diversifying
their diet with some healthy treats is a smart way to make certain they are
getting some variety.
It
all basically boils down to making your flock feel secure, protected and loved.
If
your hens are worried about predators or unsure of where their next meal is
going to come from, then they are not as likely to feel compelled to lay.
What
are a few of the signs of a chicken getting ready to lay?
Though
many (not all) chicken owners are unable to speak their flocks”buk-buk” speech,
your hens will still offer you a lot of hints that their egg making instinct is
about ready and they are gearing up to lay their first egg.
Below
are a few of the top signs that your hens are preparing to lay an egg for the
first time…
Red
Combs & Wattles
Look
closely in the combs and wattles of your pullets around the time they’re 18
weeks old.
Generally
speaking your hens’ wattles and combs will turn red and swell as their bodies
ready to lay eggs.
It
may seem somewhat odd but think all of these weird and unusual things that the
human body does as it moves through puberty.
Checking
From The Nesting Boxes
Some
hens will start to inspect the nesting boxes all the time they’re getting ready
to lay.
They’ll
wander around, rummage the hemp bedding and stick their beak in and out. Some
might also practice sitting in the nesting box, which may cause any chicken lover
an excellent deal of excitement!
This
being said, even if your girls are checking out the nesting boxes, then they
may still be a couple of days or weeks off from laying.
Every
time a chickens body is nicely ready to lay, you will see your hen doing a
strange little squat at the backyard.
This
bizarre gesture is a subtle and flirtatious indication to a rooster they are
fully matured and ready for some funny business.
You
might discover that your hens will nevertheless do this funky little squat if there
are no roosters around.
It is
likewise a tell-tale sign that your pullet are going to put an egg at any
moment! As soon as you see your pullets doing their squats you may be certain
that you will find eggs in route!
These are the very typical signs that a chicken is preparing
to lay however most poultry owners possess a profound connection with their
flock and therefore are able of intuitively feel when their hens are ready to
produce their first eggs.
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