So its the end of the first week with our new flock. They all have different personalities and they're all pretty friendly. Even the head hen, Rose, is taking scratch from my hand along with the rooster! Heather, the one who has been making little makeshift nests everywhere had 3 going, so we removed the straw off of the floor to try to encourage her to use a nest box. She finally got in and sat for a few hours but no egg. At least she knows where it is. And my question tonight is we have 1 hen who is a little bit smaller than the rest and seems like a runt. She eats great and acts fine. Is there a specific way to get some weight on her a little quicker? And another question is when we do see that 1st egg, do we snatch it up or leave it for a little while?
You must immediately take it or they will get a taste for there own eggs and they will eat all the produce. If this does happen, crack the top off the egg and get everything out from inside. Then, fill it with a bit of detergent and a lot of water (not too much detergent or they will get sick) and leave it in the coop. THAT"LL TEACH HIM!! aha. good luck Livvy xx
Congratulations on your first flock! I have to respectfully disagree with the advice given above. I have never waited around for the first egg so I can immediately take it away. We usually check for eggs once or twice a day (more often when it's extremely cold and the eggs will freeze) and have found plenty of first eggs. Unless she's broody, a hen usually lays her egg, squawks a bit, and then gets off the nest - sometimes still squawking, sometimes not. On the occasion I've had egg eaters, it's just been a sign that they need more calcium, so I give them oyster shell. ETA - aart posted while I was still working at it. Very good point on the smaller hen being a possible different breed, and if she's eating and drinking OK, don't worry about it.
I really appreciate all of the replies and advice. For now Heather is content to scratch around. No Nest hunting today. If and when we get our first egg, which we will definitely get a picture, we will take it out right away. They are getting even more relaxed. And boy do they like their treats!
