Finally.... An Egg!

[whogroomer]

I'm not sure which hen is responsible, but they all sure look proud. So far I have gotten 3, 1 in the nest box, and two in the roosting area. They made for an excellent breakfast. The eggs had a thick wall, and large yellow yolks. I'm hoping for more this morning.

The hens are scratching all the hay from my nest boxes... I'm trying to make it comfortable for them

but they are making it hard.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Congrats! So far as the scratching of the bedding from the boxes, if your boxes are wood, do they have a "lip" on the outside walk in area? If there is a lip that makes the opening slightly smaller it may prevent the scratching or at least slow it down...also, try shavings instead?

Anyway, congrats again! One of my girls just finally started laying again after a molt so it's like Christmas here too!

 

[whogroomer]

Thanks, I can try that.

I build the nest boxes so that they have a perch before they go in, but the floor is open so its easy to scratch hay out. I designed it this way so it would be easy to clean, but didn't think about chickens cleaning out the nest boxes themselves. I think I will build the lip your talking about to keep the hay from just falling out when they scratch around. or close the opening between the perch and the floor of the nest box.

So far I've got 3 more eggs, I think they are all from the same hen. My RIR. She is the one I catch in the nest boxes. I know they are not my EE's since they are brown.


I've noticed when I crack open the eggs, there is a dark spot on the yolk. However my rooster has been to camp for over a month. Could they be fertile?

Also what if they freeze, is that ok? When I collect them they are very cold if not frozen. They seem fine when I'm ready to use them.

 

[sixty7x]

congrats on the eggs! my hens kicked the hay out of the nestboxes for a few days. Then one day I open up the nest box and there is a perfectly round nest with 2 eggs in the center. Since then they leave the hay inside the box. As for the coop, they pull everything out. Gotta love em'. hahaha. frozen eggs are o.k. just put them in the fridge. If they've cracked and they are frozen just wash them off and use when they thaw out. Make sure to let them thaw in a dish