Chickens squatting but not laying-why?

[llombardo]

I have one that is just starting to lay and she seems to lay between 6-7 pm. Found a soft shell last night. It has to be one of the brahmas. I do not think the older girls are letting the younger ones have any peace in the nest boxes. Not even sure what to do with this muxed bunch

 

[tweetzone86]

I got my first egg today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had appointments yesterday so just found it this morning. I guess it's true what they say- the watched pot never boils!

Not sure who the culprit is- the chickens are quite annoyed that they haven't been let out yet this morning so I have a feeling I'm going to have a tough time doing the butt check.

Weehoo!!!!

 

[aart]

Not sure who the culprit is- the chickens are quite annoyed that they haven't been let out yet this morning so I have a feeling I'm going to have a tough time doing the butt check

Easier to do off the roost at night anyway
Congrats!!

 

[tweetzone86]

Easier to do off the roost at night anyway
Congrats!!

Are little blood spots worrisome? I cracked it to scramble it and there was a tiny blood spot in it. Yolk was nice and orange though.

 

[dalasgalas]

My hens free range in my back yard. It is an Easter egg hunt some weeks. I thought they were on strike after my roo died, but nope, they just found a spot that was nearly concealed under the cactus. I had to burrow my way in there and wouldn't you know it? 10 eggs.

Sneaky bastards.

 

[aart]

Are little blood spots worrisome? I cracked it to scramble it and there was a tiny blood spot in it. Yolk was nice and orange though.

Nope. Not uncommon, can happen at any age.
Blood spots happen when a tiny blood vessel breaks as the ova(yolk) is released.
Think it's explained in this excellent video.

 

[tweetzone86]

My hens free range in my back yard. It is an Easter egg hunt some weeks. I thought they were on strike after my roo died, but nope, they just found a spot that was nearly concealed under the cactus. I had to burrow my way in there and wouldn't you know it? 10 eggs.

Sneaky bastards.

Under cactus???? Yowza! I suppose from a chicken standpoint they would be quite safe under there though! From an egg-eating parent, however, that would be really, really annoying!

 

[dalasgalas]

Under cactus???? Yowza! I suppose from a chicken standpoint they would be quite safe under there though! From an egg-eating parent, however, that would be really, really annoying!

They are smooth prickly pear cactus. I let them free range all summer then train them in their coop during winter so they know to go in there when it is cold. During colder months I go outside at night and make sure they are all in the closed coop. They aren't the sharpest tools in the shed and one of them likes roosting on the kitchen window sill, regardless of how damn cold it is.

This weekend they are all getting trained in the coop. We'll see how it goes since we have two new teenagers in the urban micro flock right now that haven't started laying and are still working on becoming part of the official flock. I'll add that the flock is two, two very proud clucking chickens, so adding two teenagers is bound to rile anyone.

 

[tweetzone86]

Nope. Not uncommon, can happen at any age.
Blood spots happen when a tiny blood vessel breaks as the ova(yolk) is released.
Think it's explained in this excellent video.

Wow that's such a cool video! I homeschool and I'm going to show it to my girls Thanks!

 

[Mimi13]

Nope. Not uncommon, can happen at any age.
Blood spots happen when a tiny blood vessel breaks as the ova(yolk) is released.
Think it's explained in this excellent video.

This video is the most well “put together” video I have ever seen. I will be looking for more Virtual Chicken videos. Thank you @aart for sharing it. And a shout out to Auburn! War Damn Eagle!