[hotchicks77]

My 6 brown hybrids are now 21 weeks old, when should they start laying? They also sleep in the nesting boxes instead of the perches(is this normal). What is best to put in the nesting boxes. I am feeding them boiled vegetable peelings as well as mixed poultry corn, is there anything else i can give them. All advice is very welcome.

[Casey76]

Hi, and welsome to the very addictive world of chicken keeping

95% of your chickens diet should be layers pellets or mash - pellets are usually preferred as there is less wastage and it is easier to clean up.

Corn should be restricted to an evening treat as they are preparing to go to bed only. (this is to ensure they eat enough layers, so they will get all the correct minerals and vitimins)

It is quite normal for new hens to sleep in the nest boxes, especially if they have come from commercial breeders where perches aren't provided from a young age.  Hens are perching birds, but may need some encouragement, if they are used to sleeping in the bedding.  Once the hens have gone to bed and are sleepy (at deep dusk, so you may want to take a torch), take the bird out of the nest box and pop her on the perch.  this is also an ideal time to get used to handling your new hens as they are less likely to struggle when they are sleepy.  Get used to how heavy they are, how much of the keel bone you can feel (quite a surprising amount on a laying bird), you can also check the vent and surrounding feathers for unwanted visitors.

[Fisherman]

On average they should start laying at 23 weeks but some can take longer. As Casey76 advised their primary food should be layers mash or pellets with mixed corn fed later in the day. You could try closing their nest boxes off at night to encourage them to perch although you are better trying this when they get the hang of using the perch. Feed them plenty of greens as well like cabbage, lettuce etc. which helps in the egg yolk colouring.

If you haven't done already I would treat them for lice and worms. If they get a bad infestation of either it can put them off laying or even worse make them ill.

[hotchicks77]

Thanks Fisherman/Casey76, should i put food and drink in the hen house overnight.

[rachelr]

Hi I was advised not to put food or water in the actual coop as his encourages bugs and spillage. If the saw dust gets wet they can get ill.

good luck my hybrids started laying at 22-24 weeks. Again only treat them with veg and corn. Layers pellets is he best way forward. I am reasonably new to this too and I love it is soooo addictive. I need more coops so i can et more hens.

[Fisherman]

No, just leave their food and drink in the run. If you put it inside they can make a mess in the coop. Give them mixed corn late afternoon and that will keep them happy. There really isn't any need for either to be inside.

[joyfull]

only leave their feed and drink in the run until they go to bed, then pick it up and place indoors (mine go in a metal shed) otherwise you will encourage rats 

[hotchicks77]

I can see me getting addicted to this, just ordered some layer pellets from lokal supplier.
They are getting very friendly now, eating out of our hands and respond to our voices cant wait for the first eggs!

[joyfull]

the chances are that when you give them their layers they will sulk, layers are their proper food and the mixed corn is the equivelent to our chocolate 

[evie2]

I can see me getting addicted to this, just ordered some layer pellets from lokal supplier.
They are getting very friendly now, eating out of our hands and respond to our voices cant wait for the first eggs!

Oh yes, very addicted

[jinty1911]

Had my girls for 2 weeks now and got 1st tiny perfect egg yesterday and another tiny 1 again today.  
I had same problem as you with sleeping in nest box.  Gave them 5 days to settle in and then blocked of nestbox (with Tennents lager box lol) for 2 nights.  After that they settled on roost til tonight!! 1 is in nestbox again.  Will go out shortly and move her.  Mine will do anything for dried meal worms.
Jinty

[hotchicks77]

I have just been out 10 minutes ago, all 6 were in the nesting boxes i moved them onto the perches. I stood outside the run for 5 minutes and could hear them moving around. I dont know whether to go out again or not.

[orchardlady]

Leave them for tonight it's too grim an evening. Tomorrow late afternoon put something in the nest boxes like an old shoe box or bear carton anything that fills the space so the birds can't settle in the nest box and of course remove in the morning so they can lay in their nest boxes. Good luck.

[pelirocco]

I think mine also use their nest box to sleep , but then I am not sure whether there is  enough perching space for them . Mine were bought for me along with the hen house as a birthday present  and was sold as suitable for 4 hens , when it arrived they quickly built a run as it was obviously far too small for 4 hens to live comfortably !I read that hens should have 12 inches of perch? , I only have 2 perches , and they dont look  long enough for 4

[Chicken Pete]

Reading the replies to the question I am very interested to see that the advice is not to leave water and pellets in the chicken house over night.
My question is with the long winter nights drawing in can/will the chickens be OK for 12 hours
without water and/or pellets?