16 weeks, 1st egg

[KimbosKluckers]

I really thought 16 weeks was a tad early but I found a wonky, cracked open/eaten egg this morning. Shell was very soft too and partially missing. I started oyster shell 2 weeks ago. I have 3 barred rocks and 3 RIR, one barred rock looks a lot closer to laying than the others, red comb/squatting, I guess it’s her? I added ceramic eggs when I found it, it was laid on the poop board above the nest boxes.

 

[TooCheep]

Unfortunate that it wasn't a nice, whole egg. Most likely just her system trying to get things working properly. I talked with another chicken owner about a month ago who's girl had similar shell problems until egg #3. Then it apparently straightened out.

Also, eggs being layed outside the nest box the first time or two isn't unusual. They are new to the process and should quickly figure out to go to the nest box with the existing eggs when they experience "that" feeling.

Sounds like you are doing the right things. Good luck. Not fun, but don't hit the panic button yet.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Unfortunate that it wasn't a nice, whole egg. Most likely just her system trying to get things working properly. I talked with another chicken owner about a month ago who's girl had similar shell problems until egg #3. Then it apparently straightened out.

Also, eggs being layed outside the nest box the first time or two isn't unusual. They are new to the process and should quickly figure out to go to the nest box with the existing eggs when they experience "that" feeling.

Sounds like you are doing the right things. Good luck. Not fun, but don't hit the panic button yet.

Thanks for your kind words! I should probably mark the fake ones, right? Also, will she lay every day now or does that take a bit too at this age?

 

[TooCheep]

Thanks for your kind words! I should probably mark the fake ones, right? Also, will she lay every day now or does that take a bit too at this age?

I put a large X on each end of my fake eggs using a permanent marker. Makes them easy to identify when pulling out eggs.

How often they'll lay at first is unknown. Those two breeds will lay roughly 6 days/week once they are up to speed, but it can be highly variable at first.

I found that other thread with a pullet that had a hard time at first if you want to read it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/when-will-my-girls-start-laying.1624174/

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I put a large X on each end of my fake eggs using a permanent marker. Makes them easy to identify when pulling out eggs.

How often they'll lay at first is unknown. Those two breeds will lay roughly 6 days/week once they are up to speed, but it can be highly variable at first.

I found that other thread with a pullet that had a hard time at first if you want to read it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/when-will-my-girls-start-laying.1624174/

Thanks! Just read through that, glad to hear that one worked things out. I appreciate your help.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

So just now at 3pm one gal wasn’t with the flock, unusual. Found her in the coop pecking at the fake eggs then she started singing, scooted one underneath her and is now sitting on it. Normal?

 

[TooCheep]

Yup. She's feeling it. Will be laying soon.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Yup. She's feeling it. Will be laying soon.

Oh good. Do I worry if she never gets up? Becomes broody? Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

[TooCheep]

Yup. That's a newbie question all right. That's okay. Except for those who grew up with chickens, we were all newbies once.

It's highly, highly, highly unlikely you will encounter broodiness at this stage when they haven't even laid yet. The breeds you have don't go broody very often anyway. I've had 3 BRs and 2 RIRs and none have ever gone broody. I've had 2 Australorps and both have gone broody at least once. Silkies are well known for it.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Yup. That's a newbie question all right. That's okay. Except for those who grew up with chickens, we were all newbies once.

It's highly, highly, highly unlikely you will encounter broodiness at this stage when they haven't even laid yet. The breeds you have don't go broody very often anyway. I've had 3 BRs and 2 RIRs and none have ever gone broody. I've had 2 Australorps and both have gone broody at least once. Silkies are well known for it.

Good to hear. Thanks again. She actually just came back out.