Do you ever feel like a thief?

[petesgirl]

So, I got my second egg today, it was from Red, a 21 week old black sex-link. (Not frizzle bon bizzle like I thought). I get going outside to see how she was doing-she kept scratching in the nest box and was making the sweetest cooing noise. I decided I better give her some privacy for awhile. Went back out and she was laying on her new egg! I could not take from her, she seemed so happy and content. I left her there with her egg. After she left the nest box I went back to get it. I feel so guilty! Like I stole her prized egg! Anybody else feel like this? I know I will have to get used to it!

 

[Muggsmagee]

I consider the eggs a gift. I gift my girls back with lots of yummy treats! Win/win!

 

[leahthor]

When I first got my girls laying one of the girls spent a good 30 minutes in the box scratching and nudging the other two eggs just perfect under her before she would lay hers. I felt like the biggest heel stealing her eggs. I swear she gave me a look that said "your kidding me. I spent all that time making sure they were perfect and you TAKE THEM!"

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
Me too and I love presents! Look at it this way, if you didn't want eggs, you'd just have a roo, right?

 

[KBChicks]

We collect 3 times a day. Each time we walk out with an egg I make sure I thank the girls for helping to provide for the family.

I justify spoiling them that way...

 

[gryeyes]

I thank my girls for every single egg I gather. I know which hen lays which eggs for the most part. Can't tell which of the 2 Lakenvelder sisters lay the only white eggs, and sometimes I confuse a couple of others, but I still thank any hen around when I gather each egg.

But I do know what you mean about feeling like a thief... for just a few seconds.

When Buffy went broody, SHE called me a thief, though. I had to keep removing the eggs SHE stole from other hens, so only the original few would be incubated.

 

[petesgirl]

Yes, a wonderful gift! I did thank her, and pet her while she was laying on the egg. Now she doesn't even seem to remember there was an egg, so I feel better. Maybe the 11 other gals will get busy and bring me presents too!

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

until they become broody they usually won't notice you taking an egg they just left behind in the nesting box. just don't interrupt their egg song! o...and make sure to thank the WHOLE group since they probably helped with that song too! they encourage the laying hen to get it out!

 

[Annabella]

It's so funny how many of us are similar in this.

I always say thank you to the girls who lay for me.
But then (with a smile) I chastise the other girls and tell them they are lazy!!

I hate to think what the neighbours think of me, as I walk around the yard chatting to the girls.

 

[pgpoultry]

Unless a hen is broody it seems to me that she does not give a darn about me taking her eggs.

With a broody I am a egg donator...I love to see the eggs placed in front of the hen and she roll them under her quick as lightening.

So me having eggs she does not want whilst giving her eggs when she does seems a fair trade.

Sandie