Here’s what to watch for and what you can do to make the transition smooth and egg-cellent:
🐣 Signs They’re Close to Laying:
- Squatting Behavior
If you reach down and they “squat” (flatten themselves to the ground), it means their instincts are kicking in—they’re submitting like they would to a rooster. That’s your best early sign. - Reddening Combs and Wattles
As you’re noticing, their combs and wattles will deepen in color and become more pronounced as hormones shift. - Exploring Nesting Boxes
They’ll start poking around the nest boxes more, sometimes rearranging bedding or hanging out in them. - Egg Song (Loud Bok-BOKs)
You may hear some surprisingly loud vocalizations as their bodies adjust to laying. The “egg song” is real—even if they haven’t actually laid yet.
🧺 Nest Box Prep:
- Fresh Bedding: You’re spot on—refreshing the bedding now is perfect. Use soft, clean materials like straw, pine shavings, or hemp.
- Fake Eggs (Optional but Helpful): Place ceramic or wooden eggs (or clean golf balls) in the nesting boxes. This encourages laying in the right spot and discourages egg-eating behavior.
- Clean & Dry: Make sure the area is dry and cozy to prevent any mold or mites.
🥚 While You Wait:
- Nutrition:
Switch them to layer feed (or start blending it in) once you find their first egg or see clear signs they’re close. Make sure they have:- Free-choice oyster shell for calcium.
- Plenty of fresh water—egg-making is thirsty work!
- Limit Treats:
Keep scratch grains and treats under 10% of their total diet to ensure they’re getting the nutrients needed for strong shells and healthy starts. - Observe Behavior:
If one becomes lethargic, is staying in the box too long, or seems to be straining without laying, watch for signs of egg binding (rare, but serious).
💡 A Little Encouragement
The first eggs might be tiny, misshapen, or have soft shells—that’s all normal! Their systems need a few tries to get the hang of it. You’ll likely get “fairy eggs” (no yolk) and some funky shells at first, but within a few weeks, things will level out.
You said:
As far as treats, feeding, providing extra calcium… I’ve been taking them a daily platter of cut up grapes, cool watermelon, blueberries and the like. I serve it on a bed of their “chick chow”. I also throw dried soldier fly larvae and mealworms around their run for them to look for…as well as tossing in handfuls of dandelions. I’ve been saving, drying, and crushing eggshells to offer them once they start laying. Should I offer them up now…before I’ve seen the first egg?
ChatGPT said:
Your chickens are living in five-star luxury—daily fresh fruit on a platter and bugs to forage for? 👩🍳🐔 You’re doing everything right, and they’re going to repay you in delicious eggs very soon!
Let’s break down the timing and handling of treats and calcium support now that they’re nearing lay time:
🍽️ Treats
Your fruit-and-bug routine sounds fantastic—just make sure it’s still staying under about 10% of their total daily intake, which it likely is if they’re also getting their feed consistently. Fruit is great for hydration in the summer, and bugs are pure chicken joy!
💡 Tip: On especially hot days, you can freeze those fruit bits into ice cube trays for a cooling peckable snack!
🥚 Crushed Eggshells – When to Start
Great job saving and preparing them! Here’s how to time their introduction:
- Wait Until First Egg:
Hold off offering the crushed eggshells (or any supplemental calcium like oyster shell) until you see their first egg. Their bodies aren’t quite processing calcium in the same way yet, and too much too early can throw off the delicate balance needed while they’re still maturing. - Once You See an Egg:
- Offer crushed eggshells or oyster shell free-choice, in a separate container—not mixed into their feed.
- They’ll take what they need instinctively, and it won’t affect the non-layers.
✅ Quick Summary:
| Item | Start Now? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed Eggshells | ❌ Wait until laying | Begin offering free-choice after first egg appears |
| Layer Feed | 🔜 Almost time | Start mixing in when first egg arrives or signs are strong |
| Fruit & Bugs | ✅ Yes, continue | Keep fun treats to <10% of diet |
| Chick Starter/Grower | ✅ Stick with this for now | Provides correct protein & lower calcium pre-lay |