Americaunas haven't laid one egg EVER!!!

[PortageGirl]

Well, if you are going to sell in a commercial situation, rules are very different in most states so you need to check on this. In Ohio, people can sell their eggs at home with almost no regulations at all, (I think the cut off is 3,000 birds, so most of us are OK

)but if the eggs are handled in a location other than the 'point of lay' I think they call it, there are more rules.

Once you find out what those rules are, if they don't state requirements for washing etc, I think I'd not wash, but sell only the cleanest eggs there, make sure to keep the bedding in nest areas extra clean etc, and print up some labels or cards that tell people to wash -just- before use and proper handling and so on. I would NOT get into too much refrigeration discussion with them, just refrigerate them in this case, it's what people expect.

If they DO say what should be done, I'd do it of course, or you're opening up your family store to trouble.

I'd use caution with cleaners of any kind, eggs absorb such things, and then it's IN there with the good stuff. YUCK

 

[logansmommy7]

Mine just started laying and they are EEs. They were born the first part of April...may be a little early. Patience...or go on vacation, and then they will lay. That's what mine did!!!

 

[Karrie13]

I am sure yours will start laying soon... I didn't think mine were laying but I witnessed one of americaunas laying a lovely tan egg. So some may be laying and you just don't realize it.

 

[Ghostchick]

I have 3 EEs, and they just started laying maybe a week ago. They are about 24 weeks old. I have 15 hens the exact same age and I can get from 6-10 eggs a day during the past week. Its very sporratic in the beginning, especially now since its getting to be less hours of daylight. I know it seems like forever, but when they lay it will be so egg-citing!!!

 

[Guitartists]

What I've noticed is that the ONLY chickens of mine that lay as early as you hear people talking about are production type egg breeds! ALL my other breeds, especially the Ameraucanas started laying MUCH later... some not until after their first winter. Give them girls time! Mine were very slow to start laying, but once they started they were some of most reliable layers.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

I got my first EE egg yesterday..7 hens hatched the first of April..

 

[ChooksChick]

I have EEs from March that are just now thinking about squatting.

the fact that the roos aren't paying attention is a good indicator- at the point they start getting mature enough to lay, the roos will start to really notice the girls. The birds who have just become mature will be the favorite for a bit. Right now my home roo is courteously escorting the Buttercups- they started laying about 2 months ago, but he's really dancing for the EE who started squatting a couple of days ago. I expect an egg within a week.

I've heard of early laying Easter Eggers, but most of the time, I hear a lot about Ameraucana-type birds laying rather late, like 8 months.

Patience, friend! They'll come.

 

[Lil Chickie Mama]

Boo this makes me sad. Mine are probably the same age as they hatched April 25th (23 weeks) but I figure I'll have to wait another month or two for eggs.

Hopefully they'll start laying after harvest is over or something. Do chickens stop laying all together when the days are shorter or it just slows down? I'm not interested in prolonging it artificially with lights in the coop, but I'm just curious how it works. If they need a break they can take one!

 

[Ghostchick]

Quote:
We are turning on the coop lights for a while once they are in there, to make up for the loss of light. I think they lay just less. It figures that they will slow down, mine just started up, what the hay!!!

 

[logansmommy7]

Yes, I too have gotten some rather small, but lovely, tan eggs. I suspect my EEs...they are crossed with red sex links, so the brown eggs are a possibility, but I have gotten two lovely little blue eggs too! Yay for the girls! Yours will join them SOON, I just know it. Just when you think they are never going to lay, THEY WILL!