cracked eggs

[luvmychickgirls]

Our girls were 5 months old on August third (2 Buff Orpingtons and 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte) and started laying on July 30th. So far we've had 7 eggs! The first two were perfect, but the next 2 were broken and the last three have been cracked on the tip of the smaller end. I'm sure at least 2 of the hens are laying and I think all three might be. They are fed a laying ration with access to crushed oyster shell. (They also get treats of fresh veggies etc. periodically). They also aren't laying in the nesting boxes, just in the middle of their floor. (I can tell they are at least in and out of the boxes though because the bedding is disturb and the ceramic eggs we have in each box are moved around). Could this just be their youth and inexperience or are we doing something wrong? We've had them since they are 5 days old and they're very sweet and docile and seem very well acclimated to their home. Any suggestions or advice would be great! Or are we just impatient!

 

[cavemanrich]

Here are some ideas of mine.. Chickens are beginners so be patient. laying in the nest boxes will come soon. . Have straw or hay in your nesting boxes. Sounds like you have possibly wood shavings. Chickens prefer the feel of a hay or straw nest. It cuddles them in comfort. Take out those fake eggs after they start using the nests. Good idea to place them into the nests so they get the feel of the comfort there. Your chickens started laying pretty early, many start a little later. The shells will become more developed as your girls mature. .. Good that you are providing them the additional calcium of oyster shells free choice.

WISHING YOU BEST AND

 

[luvmychickgirls]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the input! We have straw in their nesting boxes right now but I'm thinking of switching to a grass hay. We raise horses too and just put up a beautiful load of soft, clean fragrant grass hay for the oldsters. I think my chick girls will like it better - definitely not as scratchy! Thanks again for the input!!! I think we got so excited when we got our first egg that patience just flew out the window!!! HA! :-D

 

[cavemanrich]

I use hay because it is eatable unlike straw, SMELLS GOOD and a bale of hay is not a budget breaker VS straw.

One bale lasts me all year. I use ether alfalfa or tymothy hay.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

My goofy girls wouldn't ue the boxes until I took the fakes (i used golf balls) out. Maybe try leaving the fake egg out of one of the boxes and see if that works,

We use timothy hay, it does make a nice box liner.

 

[aart]

Thinks straw smells good too, but don't have any hay....and if you grab a nice flake and push it down into a bit of a bowl it stays together nicely.

I leave the fake eggs/golf balls in the nests all the time....switching them up to see what effect it might have.
I did have one pullet who did not like the fake eggs at first and refused to use the nest until I took it out.
So you can leave the fakes in there but leave one nest empty of them.

New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

ETA: Do the eggs have nice hard shells or thin shells?
Is the floor bare and hard so they might be breaking when laid....or are they pecked open?
Might want to keep a sharp eye and collect as frequently as possible so they don't figure out how delicious they are and how to get them open.

 

[luvmychickgirls]

Thanks "aart"! I will try that. We have shavings on the floor and hay in the nest boxes. I appreciate the help and advice!!