Egg laying "etiquette"

[aart]

I just wait to gather eggs late in the afternoon, they are usually done by 4pm, then one last nest check when I lock the pop doors up at dark.

 

[shortgrass]

Most of my girls don't seem to mind if I'm in the coop with them or not. But a couple (especially one of the red sex links) chews me out if they're in the box and I go in the coop. I suppose it's kind of like people...some like more privacy than others.

Congrats on getting eggs, that's a nice looking one in the picture!

Lol x2 on being "yelled at"... I have a couple that will literally screech at me if I even walk by the door lol, and the rest just ignore it...

Some days they screech at each other too... Very vocal about needing that box you're in RIGHT NOW. I just don't even bother them until at least noon, they get the mornings to do their thing and usually everybody is done by 2, save a straggler or 2.

I was always worried that if they saw me stealing their babies that they would stop laying... Nope they don't care; just don't stick your hand to gather eggs while she's still laying lol, youll get pecked

 

[N F C]

@shortgrass nope, they really don't seem to care much...unless, you try grabbing an egg a broody is on. Then watch out! We had a very broody BA that insisted on sitting on all the eggs (non-fertile since we don't have a roo). Good luck getting eggs out from under her. That gal could go from her usual timid, skittish self to a ferocious egg hoarder that would gladly bite your hand off if you tried to touch HER eggs. I used to get DH to get those eggs, I didn't want to lose a finger, lol.

 

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

Sounds like it's going great! If all the oyster shell is gone, remember to put out more. I have a dispenser in the run for my girls that is always available for them and for me, it is just a matter of remembering to check it sometimes

 

[beginnergirl]

Thanks, Snowpeeostrich! Forgot to put out the oyster shell today

My girl is laying like clockwork about every 25 hours. Amazing!

Good to know about personalities of other hens and that some can get eggs while hen is on the nest. Imagine I will have one skitterish girl if her personality holds. Seems like egg laying could be a private matter for some Thanks all.

 

[aart]

Thanks, Snowpeeostrich! Forgot to put out the oyster shell today

My girl is laying like clockwork about every 25 hours. Amazing!

Good to know about personalities of other hens and that some can get eggs while hen is on the nest. Imagine I will have one skitterish girl if her personality holds. Seems like egg laying could be a private matter for some Thanks all.

I think it's more a matter about safety than privacy.......privacy/modesty is human attribute.
Chickens want to be in a safe place to lay their eggs, if they feel 'safe' while you're in the coop, they won't have a problem laying while you're in there.

 

[shortgrass]

@shortgrass
 nope, they really don't seem to care much...unless, you try grabbing an egg a broody is on. Then watch out! We had a very broody BA that insisted on sitting on all the eggs (non-fertile since we don't have a roo). Good luck getting eggs out from under her. That gal could go from her usual timid, skittish self to a ferocious egg hoarder that would gladly bite your hand off if you tried to touch HER eggs. I used to get DH to get those eggs, I didn't want to lose a finger, lol.

Lol no kidding! I have to wait and pace and peek in, "are you done yet?"... There's always gotvto becat least that ONE biddy

I think it's more a matter about safety than privacy.......privacy/modesty is human attribute.
Chickens want to be in a safe place to lay their eggs, if they feel 'safe' while you're in the coop, they won't have a problem laying while you're in there.

Good point! That goes right along with the pecky setters... They get upset because they feel their eggs are at risk of the big fat pink handed theif lol

 

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

That goes right along with the pecky setters... They get upset because they feel their eggs are at risk of the big fat pink handed theif lol

lol "fat handed thief"...

 

[beginnergirl]

Lol x2 on being "yelled at"... I have a couple that will literally screech at me if I even walk by the door lol, and the rest just ignore it...

Some days they screech at each other too... Very vocal about needing that box you're in RIGHT NOW. I just don't even bother them until at least noon, they get the mornings to do their thing and usually everybody is done by 2, save a straggler or 2.

I was always worried that if they saw me stealing their babies that they would stop laying... Nope they don't care; just don't stick your hand to gather eggs while she's still laying lol, youll get pecked

haha.... guess it's all new and I am nervous. My BR is 5 for 5. Perfect little eggs everyday. I feel tired thinking about it. Waiting on the other two.

 

[beginnergirl]

I think it's more a matter about safety than privacy.......privacy/modesty is human attribute.
Chickens want to be in a safe place to lay their eggs, if they feel 'safe' while you're in the coop, they won't have a problem laying while you're in there.

Makes sense. So easy to anthropomorphize. My relationship with the pullets is continuing to develop. Thanks for the insight Love learning about chickens!