I am new to the whole chicken raising business. I am 13 yrs old and just recently bought 5 hens and a family consisting of 1 momma hen and 5 chicks. So far, they roost at night, but in the daytime, one by one they each go inside and lay an egg. Is this normal? Or are my chickens biological clocks backwards.

David:
This is the normal pattern. They don't see well at night, so they roost for safety. Most of our hens finish laying by around noon each day.

All of my hens lay between 10am and 2pm. Occassionally, an hour or so earlier or later. I've never known a chicken to lay at night. That's a myth from TV. I think even in the cartoon movie Chicken Run it was implied that hens lay at night.

Hey David!

Chickens lay in the daytime. Nothings wrong with your flock! Yeah, I watched chicken run and my mom said "chickens don't lay at night!".

Oh yeah, david, why'd you start raising chickens? I started just for fun and now I'm obsessed. I started when I was about 6 or 7...about 8 years ago!

Josh, your only 15? !

Ooops...

No, I'm 14

I know another Josh whose 11, and also obsessed with poultry! You must be paying attention in school, your writting skills are great compared to some 14 year olds I've read! Kudos to you!

Thanks for the complement. I'm homeschooled, if that explains anything. I guess my mom deserves all the credit!!!

Josh, your mom sure deserves a medal. I would be very proud to have a son like you, congratulations to both you and your mom. Anny

THANKS!!! :)

I'll be sure to tell her what you said.

Josh, just read your post on being homeschooled. Really, your mom should be very proud of you. (I bet she is, too!) :^)