How much sitting time before the egg comes out?

[Henrybelle]

so I was surprised to find my red sexlink on her own in our completely fenced off side yard. exhibiting strange behavior. She is usually very friendly and first to greet us when we step outside. When I discovered her she didn’t want to come then found a secluded area under a redwood clump and kind of paced around sitting and arranging twigs and leaves. I tried not to bother her and returned every 5-10 minutes to check on her. After about 20 mins of sitting she started to wander off and joined the other hens but there was no egg I know she was hot and thirsty could this have an affect on the laying? She will be 5 months old the first week of sept. She is otherwise her normal self again. I also tried to put her on the coop nest boxes but she wasn’t interested. Ultimately I’d like to know how long it takes them to pass the egg and I should be concerned. Thanks in advance!

 

[SueT]

I would keep the chickens in until eggs are laid so that they get used to using the nest boxes.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Some hens can lay an egg within 15 mintutes others can take up to 2 hours.
Depending on the breed hens usually start laying from 18-25 weeks of age

 

[Henrybelle]

Ok she’s pushing 20 weeks . she as well as a few of the others are demonstrating signs of laying the squatting when I reach for them red combs and wattles and getting very vocal. Yes I’m probably going to have trouble getting them to use boxes

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

To encourage them to lay in the nest box put fake eggs in the nest box. It may take them a while to get the hang of it.

 

[Henrybelle]

I’ve got one fake egg in one of the boxes. Maybe I need more? I have seven hens total and I’ve put three boxes in I heard they tend to favor the certain boxes. Well we were gone for a few hours and did an egg hunt but still nothing. Are there false alarms? Or should I be worried she’s eggbound? She’s not acting like anything is wrong

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I’ve got one fake egg in one of the boxes. Maybe I need more? I have seven hens total and I’ve put three boxes in I heard they tend to favor the certain boxes. Well we were gone for a few hours and did an egg hunt but still nothing. Are there false alarms? Or should I be worried she’s eggbound? She’s not acting like anything is wrong

1 fake egg is absolutely fine.
She’s definitely not eggbound if she’s acting normal. I think your overreacting by a mile!

 

[Henrybelle]

My chickens don’t spen a lot of time in the coop.

 

[Henrybelle]

I haven’t acted in any way yet that’s why I’m here asking questions. I didn’t know how long it could take and wasn’t sure why she sat for a bit without producing thanks for the advice!

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine "practiced" sitting in the nesting boxes for about a week before laying. They would go in and rearrange the bedding, and sit for awhile, then leave. One of them even sang the egg song while sitting.
Yours sounds close. My first to lay acted really weird the day before her first egg. She paced around and acted nervous.
Now all four of my chickens will sit in the nesting box for at least an hour before laying an egg. It makes them mad, because they all try to use the same box but don't like waiting.