When to expect laying after they start squatting?

[Mother_Hen2011]

So I got my chicks in April alittle after easter. I have 3 beautiful EE whom share a coop and run with 2 Orpington Ducks a drake and a hen. They free range all day and when it gets dark they go into their coop and sleep the night away. They are fed scratch and laying feed made by Purina. They just now started to squat. How long should i expect them to lay after I see them squatting? I was out of town for 3 weeks so Im not sure when they started to squat. My inlaws took care of them for me while I was gone and they would go out there make sure they have food and water and to lock them up at night but thats about it and they said they havent noticed them squatting.. But this morning I went out there and all three of my girls squatted for me.So now Im just wondering what I need to do to prepare them for laying their first eggs.. And now that its colder outside should I get anything special for them to keep them warm? These are my first chickens and ducks and I want to do everything right if possible for them. Lol I know sounds weird but they are apart of my family and I love them.Im hoping that every thing goes smoothly and I find an egg very soon

They were delayed in laying due to a misbehaving dog of mine...

No one got hurt but the dog isnt allowed out there anymore >

But now they are on schedule I hope. My ducks I dont expect to lay until spring time.. But I just wanted to know when I should expect them to lay after I first see them squat? Thanks for any advice

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Should be soon

If you have a secure coop with adequate ventilation that is above their heads while they roost, you should not have to do anything special for winter.

 

[LT]

Once they start squatting it could be as little as a few days or as much as a couple of weeks. Look for them to get more friendly, more vocal and nervous. All of ours got very anxious in the days right before they laid first. They would run around acting nervous and scared, one of them got on the very top roost and started making a shrieking sound. Another one got in the nest box several times a day and practiced making a nest. Keep us posted for that first egg!

 

[Mother_Hen2011]

Awesome thanks for the advice!! Lol They have always acted alittle scared because of my stupid dog... lol But they have become extremely vocal more than ever.. Of course I have been gone for awhile so.. I dont know when they first started to squat.

Wish I could have been here so that I could have watched them.. But anyways. They have good ventalation but the area they have is a huge wind with chicken wire over it.. I plan on covering most of that up and looking for a nice little electric heater or something....battery operated because we dont have running power out there.. Gonna get them some straw and pine shavings.. lol I will be keeping a close eye on them.. Question do they still squat after they lay the first egg? Or just when they first lay? They have also become alot friendlier towards me.. lol I have been patiently awaiting the day I walk out and see my first egg

And here it comes

Im getting sooo excited!!!

 

[silkymom1986]

Glad I saw this post, I was wondering the same thing, I have 3 RIR's that 6 months old now, and have been going in the nesting boxes for a few weeks now, so hopefully one day soon I come home to some new surprises!!

 

[Mother_Hen2011]

Yes good luck to you as well!

Soon it will happen

Im waiting still lol my hens have become extremely vocal I just went out there and they are all over me lol squacking up a storm lol

 

[Mother_Hen2011]

I cant wait to get my first egg Im soooo excited

Ergh the waiting is finally almost over

YAY!!!!

 

[chickenn@@b]

LOL, my RIR started squatting last week for my DD which of course led to a short and sweet explanation of why she was doing that LOL Anyway, I got my first egg this morning!!!

 

[kari_dawn]

My easter egger Waffle squatted for three weeks before she layed her first egg...it seems like my EEs have always been slow to mature...I think she was like seven or nine months before she started laying.

 

[Chick Norris]

All 6 of ours laid an egg within a week of squatting.