Dummy Eggs?

[mgw]

We used the plastic easter eggs 2 in each box yellow ones I dont think color maters. we got first egg yesterday right between the plastic eggs hooray!

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

I doubt color matters MUCH, but chickens can see color. That's why their feed and water dishes often are made from red plastic. I wouldn't use anything red for fake eggs to avoid teaching them to peck at eggs. Be sure to check your plastic eggs often to keep them from getting split or cracked.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Wooden white eggs from the craft store.

 

[pgpoultry]

I live in Wales and rubber eggs are available on eBay and from a number of outlets (Bought mine on line from flightsofancy.co.uk). I would have thought that there would be retailers in the States also. They come in medium or large sizes and in white or two shades of brown to mimic the hen's own eggs.

Good Luck,

sandie

 

[michpetea]

I used golf balls and my broody sat on them daily. When I lived in Maine, we had our converted barn basement dug out for Radon. I found an old hand-blown glass egg. I didn't have any idea what it was for back then. Now I have chickens, I understand. It has to be 100 plus years old.

 

[flgardengirl]

I use plastic easter eggs too. They are cheap and the chickens don't care what color they are, they definitely get the idea. I buy them on clearance after Easter for 25 cents a pkg or less. Never had them fail.

 

[TERRY4]

How many people use dummy eggs? When I was a small child, and neighborhood "chicken lady" had ceramic ones. She said it tricked the young ones into laying their eggs. BUT I know some people don't use them and still the pullets lay eggs.

SO, I'm wondering if I need some. My girls will be laying around the end of August.

Thanks.

 

[TERRY4]

So guys! When do you start putting them in the nests? Before they start laying?

Also, if my girls are brown layers, does it have to be brown dummy eggs? I was wondering if the golf balls we have around here would do.

Thanks.

 

[lazy gardener]

A white golf ball will work just fine, no matter what color egg the pullet will lay. I'd put it in the nest as soon as they are displaying signs that they are getting near point of lay, or around 17 weeks, which ever comes first. My EE started laying at 16.5 weeks, and were displaying laying behavior about 2 weeks before.

 

[Rich386]

My girls would sit on almost anything. They just seem to need a general shape doorknob golf ball whatever.