hen about to lay

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

is there a way of knowing when a hen is about to lay

[REDCHEQHEN]

she'll stand in her nest bowl and not venture far for a day ot two beforehand

[Guest ljb107]

The top of her tail will have a bump in it.

[pjc]

you can feel her vent bones are opening and dependent on what stage gives you an indication when she'll lay.

From you other post i think you said you have them shut in and they don't seem to be doing anything, I would let them loose in the loft and see what happens.

 

Phil

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

thanks guys i will check and see. i just wanted to see if perhaps some of them are ready to lay heres hoping

[Peckedhen]

The cock will start to drive her.

[pjc]

have you seen the cocks driving the hens and how long have you had them paired?

 

Phil

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

i have seen that yeah also 3 pairs have mated but nothing as yet they were gifted to me and i was told which were paired up so i put them in  boxes and let the others loose in the loft this was a few weeks ago

[pjc]

if its been a few weeks then something is wrong!

I would seperate them for a week and then let them back together, it maybe because they havn't settled to your loft but seperating them for a while will make the cocks keaner!

When paired you should expect to see the 1st egg at around 10days.

 

Phil

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

i will try that phil thanks

[Peckedhen]

Whilst you get the hens out could you get each cock stayed to a box?

[sammy]

is there a way of knowing when a hen is about to lay

 

pick the hen up and gently press your finger between the vent bones and you will feel the egg in the channel ,guaranteed ;)

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

hi Peckedhen i can keep the cocks in the boxes yeah should i put the hens in another loft

[pjc]

if you've got room put hens into another section or loft then leave the cocks loose in there section to pick there nest boxes and they will then stick to there box. When you then put the hens back in let a pair out each day so that both cock and hen will stick to the chosen box.

The birds will be happier free in the loft than being locked in.

 

Phil

[Peckedhen]

Yes, as Phil said, for a week. Don't keep the cocks locked in, let them out one at a time then two at a time gradually building up until they all know where their own box is. When you reintroduce the hens lock them all in then put the ones that were already paired together, pair the others keeping the boxes locked and watching that they are paired. I put a 2.5litre paint tin in each box so the hen can go up on it away from the cock. Watch that they do pair - he should spin and coo and she should walk proud and sort of nod her head.  When you've got them all sorted, you can let them out and the cocks should call the hens up to their box. After a couple of days put the nest bowls in to encourage them to lay.

 

This is what I do and it works for me. Others may have other ideas. :-/

[jimmy white]

is there a way of knowing when a hen is about to lay

 

you can usualy tell by their behaviour in the time they are paired , at first theyll bill and coo, then a bit more serious driving the hen to nest if you see this they should lay in about 10 days if in good nick.

i would agree with most of the posts above , but when you do put them together, make sure you do everything to encourage them i,e, nest pans ,maybe a handfull of shavings in them , twigs for them to lift [tobacco stalks best , but other twigs can be used ,,,best of luck,,

[Guest Grasshopper Lofts]

thanks again guys and gals great advice all noted