Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Sarattie]

Chooks have just turned 20 weeks... Today spending lots of time in the coop...

Probably cold but I can't help getting hopeful

 

Probably won't happen til spring but here's to being hopeful!!!!! Lol

[mimi5]

Good to be hopeful, but I have to say my 2 new little girls are also spending a lot of time in their coop!!

 

Are they faces reddening up?? That is a good indicator, also if you place your hand on their backs do they "crouch down"? That would also indicate lay not far off, but I expect you and I will be doing the "egg dance" next year!!!!

[Luvachicken]

Queenie has been laying eggs since she was about 25 weeks.

She has layed an egg almost every day this week. I am so proud of her in the cold and all that.

 

The eggies will come soon for you

[sjp]

you might get eggs before spring.but they are more that likely staying indoors out of this bitter cold wind

[good_egg]

I got my second egg today off Dot (I assume). Little egg dance. She is about 30 weeks, as is Buffy who hasn't laid. Red faces and squatting gave the game away. Hope it's soon for you.

[Sarattie]

Ahh I dint know about the red faces and crouching thing!

Hopefully we will be doing egg dances soon mimi5!!

And great news goodegg maybe there hope for a winter egg yet!!!

 

[mimi5]

Yes, definitely keep on the lookout!! When my Molly started to lay back in jan (seems like a lifetime ago now!! ) She laid her first & second egg in the run!!! So I came home from work and went out to shut them up for bed etc and there laying in the run a beautiful little white egg!! She soon got the hang of using the nestbox after I popped a couple of "dummie" eggs in there.

[Sarattie]

Oahh foolishly I thought they'd lay at night when they're in the nest box!?!?

Will have to keep a look out!!

[mimi5]

Best to try and get them out of sleeping in the nestbox if you can, they only poo in it!!!

 

Eggs are usually laid during the day or sometimes later on. Occasionally there's an early one in the summer waiting for you! It's to do with daylight hours, hens need I think it's 14 daylight hours to produce an egg (please don't quote me as I'm not 100% sure!!) So it tends to shift gradually from early to late in the day. My Molly give a right old holler once she's done, she's just SO proud of herself!!!