AAHHHHHHH! THE FIRST EGG FINALLY!

[The Backyard Bantams]

Came out this afternoon to put the chickens away when I saw it. At first I thought one of the chickens had moved one of the fake eggs to the other box...but then I looked closer. And I screamed, very loudly....screamed at my mum, my dad, my sisters....Ebony was so chill, she acted like nothing had happened! I have 3 other chickens, but is was DEFINITELY Eb, ones a cockerel, the other two are 26 weeks but no comb development yet, and Eb has been squatting for a week or so. (I also saw the tiny imprint of her body in the hemp bedding) I’m still shook. For some reason, I am feeling so much regret that I didn’t like WATCH her lay that egg. Sadly I was too busy looking at pictures of chickens. This is a MOMENTOUS occasion, my FIRST EVER EGG from my own chicken!!!!!! I am also very happy that it has a strong shell, even though they were only partially on layer feed, and didn’t touch shell grit. Tomorrow I will eat it and see what it looks like inside. It weighs 35 grams or so, less than half a commercial egg. It is a creamy or tinted sort of colour, she is half silkie, half sebright I think.

A couple questions:

1. Does egg production start off slower? I’m yet to see how many she’ll lay this week (so excited!) but I’m expecting 1-3.

2. Should I immediately put them on 100% layer? They are about half on grower now, I gave them some shell grit but they don’t seem interested.

3. Will her laying affect the flock?

4. My other pullets are 27 weeks with no comb development yet, just a tiny hint of redness on their faces, is this normal?

Thanks! I’m so excited to eat the egg tomorrow!

 

[B40chick]

I have been getting eggs for a week and a half. My first one was a thrill. My first layer had some skips in days, but now she is laying every day. The first eggs are small, but they are starting to increase in size a little. Since that first egg, I have had three others start. Sunday I had a three egg day. Monday was a 4 egg day. Yesterday was three again. When I have a 9 egg day, all my girls will be layers

 

[ibarbidahl]

She's beautiful. Congrats! Those first eggs are so magical. Enjoy your breakfast!
Her laying will not affect the rest of the gang. Hopefully the others will follow her lead.

 

[B40chick]

I transitioned my girls from grower to layer at 18 weeks. Some people don't use layer. They use all flock and supply oyster shells

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

I was reading through this thread and YES, layer feed will hurt the non-laying chickens. Layer feed should only be given to chickens that are actively laying. I would hold off on the layer feed completely until they are all laying, but since you have a cockerel you might never be able to feed layer feed. The excess calcium is horrible for their kidneys and such. If you only feed pullets close-ish to laying eggs layer feed for a few weeks, it would probably not hurt them. A cockerel however, would have the highest chance of getting kidney failure or something else along those lines.

I would just feed flock raiser or all flock to everyone, and you can start now, with a little thing of oyster shells or crushed up eggshells on the side.

 

[dai2dao996]

Yes, but not all breeds or chickens start laying at 18 weeks. They don’t need the excess calcium until they are laying. I bet probably half of the people who helped write the Purina instructions have never even seen a chicken, and don’t understand that not all breeds lay at 18-20 weeks.

That's true. Mine ranged from 21 to 25 weeks. I switched at 18 weeks but mixed my leftover starter/grower feed with the layer feed.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

That's true. Mine ranged from 21 to 25 weeks. I switched at 18 weeks but mixed my leftover starter/grower feed with the layer feed.

I never switch to layer feed at all, as I have found using Flock Raiser is much easier and your can feed it whenever to really whoever.

 

[dai2dao996]

I never switch to layer feed at all, as I have found using Flock Raiser is much easier and your can feed it whenever to really whoever.

Have you had any experience with fermented foods for them?

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Have you had any experience with fermented foods for them?

No, because I don’t see why it’s necessary. The food is developed to have everything they need fresh out of the bag, so taking the time to ferment it just seems like a waste to me.

 

[dai2dao996]

No, because I don’t see why it’s necessary. The food is developed to have everything they need fresh out of the bag, so taking the time to ferment it just seems like a waste to me.

There's so many different views. I do agree that it should be easy taking care of them. I do love the idea of giving them stuff that will benefit their health. But in the long run, we should probably leave that to the experts.