Are first eggs ok to eat? And how to tell who lays?

[cfg]

Just got a first egg yesterday--nice, small, green tinged little thing. Are first eggs safe to egg? Any difference from later eggs?

And since we have 5 chickens out there, any tips on identifying chickens with their eggs? We have 2 aracuna, 2 wyandottes, speckled sussex.

Thanks!

 

[crawfordmama]

First eggs are the most delicious! Mostly because you've waited so long to get them.

The only difference between this egg and others to come will be size. They'll be bigger.

I'd say one of your Araucaunas gave you the egg based on its color. You should be able to tell based on the comb. A laying pullet will have a bright red comb, especially around the time she lays.

Congrats!

ETA: You may have EEs if your Araucauna laid a green egg. I believe a true Araucauna will lay a blue egg, but don't hold me to it. I'm sure someone can confirm for sure.

 

[Judy]

I've gradually learned which hen lays which egg by hanging around and happening to be there when it's laid. If I were curious I'd try dabbing different food colorings on vents and hope a smear would be on the egg. But most of mine are different breeds or mixes except two BA's, so egg color tells me a lot.

Just wait til you reach under a hen to check for eggs and have one laid into your hand.... awesome.

 

[LarryPQ]

First eggs are fine to eat.

You can tell who laid it by finding the one who looks smug and is walking funny.

 

[Fire Captain]

One or two of our six hens laid their first eggs yesterday. Let’s see what each egg may have cost.
Two years of work constructing a 10x20, roofed, triple fenced run, constructed a free standing coop on the interior, added a mister under the roof line for those hot Arizona days, electricity to the run and coop, electrified a fence around the run, dug trenches to bring water for the automatic waterer, constructed a 10x20 shed to house the tools and feed. Hmmmmmm did I miss anything? We’ve name it Cluckingham Palace. Springtime will bring in flowering bushes on the north side of the run for esthetics. $$$$$$$$$$$ per eggs, but it was worth it as it kept me busy.

 

[azygous]

You can learn to tell which eggs came from which individual hens by observing your fleet of layers during the morning laying frenzy.

Watch and listen for the restless girl making a lot of fussy comments. She will pace and chatter more than normal, and this signifies she's getting ready to head for a nest to lay. That will cue you to watch which nest she ends up in so later, even if you don't see her lay the egg, you will have a better clue as to which hen laid the egg you find in that nest.

Learn to tell what color eggs your different breeds lay, and then from there, you will soon be able to identify the different colored eggs by the signature size and shape each hen produces.

But this all depends on your having the time and patience to observe.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

If you're really curious who's laying, here's what ya do.
Pick a chicken up and find the pelvic bones, which are between the legs but a bit toward the breast. Move the feathers away and see how far apart the pelvic bones are. If you can fit two fingers or more between the bones, congrats!! This chicken is laying! If not try again with another.
Other than that, red comb and chicken size area big tellers of who's laying, as stated above.

 

[aart]

Very old thread alert!!

$$$$$$$$$$$ per eggs,

Have you ever read "The $64 Tomato"?

Pick a chicken up and find the pelvic bones, which are between the legs but a bit toward the breast.

Pelvic bones are on each side of the vent.
Pic here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Birdinhand]

sometimes the first eggs are double yolkers, sometimes they are tinged with blood... not to worry, totally fine to eat.

 

[azygous]

Very old thread alert!!

Have you ever read "The $64 Tomato"?


Pelvic bones are on each side of the vent.
Pic here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Crap! I hate it when I don't remember to look at the date of the thread! It makes me feel stupider than I already feel!