Eggs earlier than usual

[flock mommasan]

I just got my first egg of the season earlier this week. This is about a month and a half earlier than usual -- generally I get the first eggs during the first week in March. What's going on? I don't have new chickens -- they are at least 3 years old, some as old as 6 years. I've changed nothing in the coop, no extra light to extend the day. In fact we've had 3 weeks of rain which is unusual for us (I'm in California) so if anything it's been darker than usual.

Just curious. I'm not sure which of my gals dropped it, but I got a second today from the same hen. I've noticed several of my ladies have bright red crops so I had a feeling they were getting ready.

One other thing that happened over last weekend: a neighbor's young hen ended up in our yard and was wanting to hang out with the ladies. It took us a few days to figure out who she belonged to and to get her returned. Could this cute youngster, a darling Polish, have stirred things up? I noticed a little bit of chest bumping going on.

Given the price of eggs, I'm not complaining, mind you!!

 

[Mrs. K]

I only wish, I have last years pullets, and no one is laying

 

[Nodakj]

Just got my second egg today. First was monday when they turned 23 weeks old. And i am in the upper middle of MN !

 

[Goosey Girl]

Got our first eggs 4 days ago. It is early, but I'm not complaining!

 

[Bear4boo]

I just got my first egg of the season earlier this week. This is about a month and a half earlier than usual -- generally I get the first eggs during the first week in March. What's going on? I don't have new chickens -- they are at least 3 years old, some as old as 6 years. I've changed nothing in the coop, no extra light to extend the day. In fact we've had 3 weeks of rain which is unusual for us (I'm in California) so if anything it's been darker than usual.

Just curious. I'm not sure which of my gals dropped it, but I got a second today from the same hen. I've noticed several of my ladies have bright red crops so I had a feeling they were getting ready.

One other thing that happened over last weekend: a neighbor's young hen ended up in our yard and was wanting to hang out with the ladies. It took us a few days to figure out who she belonged to and to get her returned. Could this cute youngster, a darling Polish, have stirred things up? I noticed a little bit of chest bumping going on.

Given the price of eggs, I'm not complaining, mind you!!

We had one of ours start laying again a couple of days ago too. Hoping the others follow her lead!

 

[Happy hen lover]

I had a long conversation warning the only EE thats not laying that I'd better see some results come spring or she's outta here! Mine are very random now that we've gone into this deep freeze season. Oh well at least half of them are laying fairly well. Sad thing is I can sell every egg I get!

 

[SmiYa0126]

I'm in Pa, my three year old are laying and so are my two year olds. I don't do artificial light or anything, whatever they give me

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm having the same thing with my Salmon Faverolles. She's not laying a lot, but the fact that she started is enough of a surprise for me, as I normally don't get eggs from anyone until February. Been pretty rainy/overcast too, so it's not like we're getting a ton more natural light.