EE laying early?

[jtbrown]

Okay, I see a lot of posts that Easter Eggers don't lay into 20, 24, or more weeks. So, I found an egg in the EE pen, they are just shy of 17 weeks. Born last few days of April. The egg is pinkish tan, long and skinny and has different texture than my light brahma, bantums, and production reds in the other coop. Is this really the start of laying in these 22 girls (out of 25 pullets, got 22, the rest are cockerals). We don't have next boxes up, but I am so shocked to get an egg so early. Is this normal? I don't know if any have given up an egg yet today. By the way, some are "red faced" but I have seen no squatting in the group.

ps - I am pleased, but surprised. Got to get those nest boxes up this weekend.

 

[JerseyFresh]

The EEs we got from the feed store this spring (April) all laid way early like yours. Like two months earlier than I expected. The last time we had EEs they were the last to lay. You just never know.

 

[jtbrown]

That really answers my question, thanks. Sometimes all you see are they won't lay yet, but I hadn't seen anyone get early layers on EE. I have lined up a chicken sitter for November for when we vacation, and I told her I would PROBABLY get the EE laying by then, but wow, I am excited for early.

 

[JerseyFresh]

We're just lucky I guess.

 

[PtldChick]

One of my 18 wk EEs just laid her first egg yesterday. I guess it depends on the mutt!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

I had an EE lay her first egg last year just shy of 17 weeks. Lost her to egg binding a few months later.

Early layers are not something to celebrate IMO.

 

[jtbrown]

Oh, still new to this, hope that doesn't happen, thanks for input.