2018 Newbie Chat!

[Curious About Chickens]

Big news in my coop this morning- our first egg. (It's the small one behind the 2 larger trainer/decoys.) I don't know which lady did the deed. They were 20 weeks yesterday.

 

[CannedMonster]

Big news in my coop this morning- our first egg. (It's the small one behind the 2 larger trainer/decoys.) I don't know which lady did the deed. They were 20 weeks yesterday.

Is your red bird laying down at the bottom left of the photo a sex link?
It looks a lot like my sex links eggs.
Mine layed first.
My Wyandottes started a week or two later.
Their eggs are a very light tan. Almost cream colored.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Lilo started laying today!

That just leaves two EEs, Belle and Nala, who still haven't started.

Kida's green eggs are the biggest so far. But she is the biggest chicken I have too. I took some to work boiled for lunch and everyone was fascinated by the green egg!

Question for everyone:
I am going camping this weekend so from Friday evening to Sunday evening there will be no one to collect eggs.
It's going to be mid 80s, so not TOO hot. Do you think I should scrap the ones I find Sunday evening when I get home? I mean, if you can leave them out on a counter top that long, would I be able to leave them in the nest box that long?

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Lilo started laying today!

That just leaves two EEs, Belle and Nala, who still haven't started.

Kida's green eggs are the biggest so far. But she is the biggest chicken I have too. I took some to work boiled for lunch and everyone was fascinated by the green egg!

Question for everyone:
I am going camping this weekend so from Friday evening to Sunday evening there will be no one to collect eggs.
It's going to be mid 80s, so not TOO hot. Do you think I should scrap the ones I find Sunday evening when I get home? I mean, if you can leave them out on a counter top that long, would I be able to leave them in the nest box that long?

You don’t have fertilized eggs so I can’t see why that would be a problem. I store my fertilized eggs on the countertop in my house which is always about 70-75 degrees for about a week before I eat them and I’ve had no issues!

 

[CannedMonster]

Lilo started laying today!

That just leaves two EEs, Belle and Nala, who still haven't started.

Kida's green eggs are the biggest so far. But she is the biggest chicken I have too. I took some to work boiled for lunch and everyone was fascinated by the green egg!

Question for everyone:
I am going camping this weekend so from Friday evening to Sunday evening there will be no one to collect eggs.
It's going to be mid 80s, so not TOO hot. Do you think I should scrap the ones I find Sunday evening when I get home? I mean, if you can leave them out on a counter top that long, would I be able to leave them in the nest box that long?

They should be fine to eat.
In Europe they don’t refrigerate eggs.
But once you do refrigerate them, they need to stay cold until you use them.

My concern would be eggs building up in the nest and them stepping on them and possibly breaking them.
Then they might eat them and you have egg eaters on your hands

Do you have a friend/neighbor who could stop by and collect for you?
You could let them keep the eggs as “payment”.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Ack!
I guess I could ask a neighbor. I'm not super close with my neighbors though. XD
Maybe I'll have my brother stop by.

The problem is most people I would normally ask are coming camping with us. Haha!

 

[Curious About Chickens]

Is your red bird laying down at the bottom left of the photo a sex link?
It looks a lot like my sex links eggs.

Yes she is. Thanks for the info.

I'd also like to say I am SOOOO glad I got one sex link as a newbie with a variety of breeds! Besides her personality, it was great having one I knew for sure was a hen for the couple of months where each had their turn as ("Yipes is it a rooster?") the largest comb, the most aggressive, the biggest, the first waddle, the pointiest feathers, etc. So since the sex link had her turn on all those worries I knew not to worry much.

 

[Shorty22366]

My Elsa's first baby. 9 more to hatch. I am so EXCITED..

 

[CannedMonster]

Ack!
I guess I could ask a neighbor. I'm not super close with my neighbors though. XD
Maybe I'll have my brother stop by.

The problem is most people I would normally ask are coming camping with us. Haha!

That’s our problem too lol!
My husbands only child is getting married this weekend in CA and I have to stay home to care for the animals.
It’s okay though because I’m not close with my step-son since I met his Dad when he was in college.
My sister in law usually house sits for us but I want her to be able to go to the wedding since it’s her nephew.

If your brother is willing maybe he could come over before you leave so you can show him your coop, etc?

 

[CannedMonster]

Yes she is. Thanks for the info.

I'd also like to say I am SOOOO glad I got one sex link as a newbie with a variety of breeds! Besides her personality, it was great having one I knew for sure was a hen for the couple of months where each had their turn as ("Yipes is it a rooster?") the largest comb, the most aggressive, the biggest, the first waddle, the pointiest feathers, etc. So since the sex link had her turn on all those worries I knew not to worry much.

My sex link, Red, has a great personality.
She’s my dominant hen but she’s not a bully like my Wyandottes tend to be.
She started laying in January at 20 weeks old and has only missed one day since!
Big jumbo eggs!
She will follow me as I’m gardening to see if I might stir up some bugs.