Rooster mating with hens. When should I expect eggs?

[Ihaka99]

Hello,

I have bantams, 1 rooster and 2 hens that are four and a half to five mounths old. The rooster has started to mate with the hens and the hens are becoming more vocal. Should I expect eggs soon?

Thanks,

 

[HuskerHens18]

Roosters mature faster than hens. You'll probably have to wait until the hens are around 6 months old until they start laying eggs. It depends on the breeds.

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[pallas]

The chickens don't lay eggs because they mate but at 5 months you could start looking. They tend to start laying closer to 5.5 to 6 moths but it depends on the chickens in question. Good luck and !

 

[Ihaka99]

Ok,
Thanks!

The hens and the rooster also still sleep in the nest boxes. How can I stop this?

Thanks

 

[CannedMonster]

Ok,
Thanks!

The hens and the rooster also still sleep in the nest boxes. How can I stop this?

Thanks

You’ll have to find a way to block the nest boxes off.
Once they get used to the roosts when the pullets get closer to POL (point of lay) you’ll want to open them up and put some dummy (fake) eggs in there so they know it’s a good place to lay.
You can use the store bought ceramic dummy eggs or wood ones. Even golf balls or plastic Easter eggs can work.
Good luck!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok,
Thanks!

The hens and the rooster also still sleep in the nest boxes. How can I stop this?

Thanks

The above posters are correct, cockerels mature faster and start mating, "most" of the time before pullets are ready (hormones!)

If they are all still sleeping in the nesting boxes, that makes a mess. Block off the boxes with cardboard or similar barrier about an hour before roosting time. They may make a fuss, but that's o.k.

What breeds are they? If they are Silkies, they may pile on the floor, if I remember correctly, Silkies don't normally roost, but you still don't want them pooping where they lay eggs.
If you find they are sleeping on the floor instead of the roosting bars, gently set each one on the roost at night. It may take several nights for them to get a clue.

 

[pallas]

Also make sure your roosting bar is cylindrical. I used to have a coop with a roosting bar that was like a board and my hens would never go on it.

 

[aart]

Also make sure your roosting bar is cylindrical.

Not essential.

The hens and the rooster also still sleep in the nest boxes. How can I stop this?

Roosts do need to be easy to get up on and down from....and should be about 12" higher than the nests.

Have they always slept in the nests?
I'm assuming you've had them since they were chicks.
If you post some pics of your coop and roosts we may be able to spot something that could be improved.


FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).
Age in weeks or months is always a good thing to note.

 

[luckychick105]

My hens did not start laying until they were 7 months old so don't be expecting eggs yet, and

 

[Betty crocker bear]

My hens did not start laying until they were 7 months old so don't be expecting eggs yet, and

Mine are approaching 6 and haven’t produced yet