First Egg Countdown

[newchick6]

Hmmm I seem to only have one egg today, have been building up to 3 /4 since last week from 6 hens. Is this normal?

 

[LadyCluck77]

Hmmm I seem to only have one egg today, have been building up to 3 /4 since last week from 6 hens. Is this normal?

Yes, it can be normal to see a varied number of eggs from day to day.

Many factors can come into play with egg production. Light loss and temperatures/ bad weather patterns don't help. This week, for example, we've had some dark, stormy days in my area, so I've been getting maybe 3 eggs daily from 8 hens.
Plus we've lost almost two hours of daylight since June

With new pullets, they are still regulating body cycles so it's not uncommon to have them skip a day or even three days. It takes a while, but they will develop patterns, which can then of course be altered sometimes by light and temperatures. (Extreme hot or cold, etc.)

 

[newchick6]

Thanks ladycluck, will wait and see what tomoro brings

 

[KamenkerFarm]

Ladycluck- Thanks, I am so excited too. I never heard my BA sing the egg song, she's laid 9 eggs already and I have no idea if she sings it at all or I just miss it. I'm not sure if I would have heard Snowball's egg song had the back door been closed but she is definitely my loudest and most vocal hen. I never hear my RIR(or PR, not sure what she is) make any noise and my 2 BRs are not very loud. But anyway, I am super excited that she will probably be laying here shortly.

My EE Elsa is the only one that I've heard sing out of my now 5 layers yay! Must be an EE thing lol

 

[Renee572]

Still waiting! My barred rock looks redder everyday but she's holding out on me. And my EEs comb has grown a bit, she's sang the egg song but she's holding out too! Come on girls, I'm so anxious for your eggs!

 

[jinostroza]

I am new to the chicken scene. I am a biology teacher and we hatched eggs in class a part of a lesson. Out of the 9 that hatched 2 were girls so I decided to keep them to see if I could get them to lay eggs and THEY DID! They are 20 weeks old and lay 1 egg each every morning. My sons and I are so excited, they check every morning. One of them, Star lol, sings when she is ready. I tried to attached a picture but it didn't work. We have 17 eggs so far and ate 5 and they tasted good. I am not sure what to do next. Do I get the egg laying food, continue the grow food? I also give them some greens (broc, lettuce, kale) and dried meal worms. I read in a post that sometimes what you feed them can change the taste of the egg?

Any advise for me would be helpful?

 

[lisa67steve99]

I am new to the chicken scene. I am a biology teacher and we hatched eggs in class a part of a lesson. Out of the 9 that hatched 2 were girls so I decided to keep them to see if I could get them to lay eggs and THEY DID! They are 20 weeks old and lay 1 egg each every morning. My sons and I are so excited, they check every morning. One of them, Star lol, sings when she is ready. I tried to attached a picture but it didn't work. We have 17 eggs so far and ate 5 and they tasted good. I am not sure what to do next. Do I get the egg laying food, continue the grow food? I also give them some greens (broc, lettuce, kale) and dried meal worms. I read in a post that sometimes what you feed them can change the taste of the egg?

Any advise for me would be helpful?

Congrats on the eggs. Yes you do need to change your girls to a laying feed with a protein content of at least 16%. It comes in pellets or crumbles and it's been my experience that crumbles get wasted. Pellets are easier to use and they don't kick them out of the feeder and spill as much. Always provide plenty of fresh water. I have 15 girls right now and 3 rooster and chicken keeping has become a passion for me. Best of luck to you!

 

[BunnyLover44]

I am new to the chicken scene.

Welcome to BYC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jtn42248]

I am new to the chicken scene. I am a biology teacher and we hatched eggs in class a part of a lesson. Out of the 9 that hatched 2 were girls so I decided to keep them to see if I could get them to lay eggs and THEY DID! They are 20 weeks old and lay 1 egg each every morning. My sons and I are so excited, they check every morning. One of them, Star lol, sings when she is ready. I tried to attached a picture but it didn't work. We have 17 eggs so far and ate 5 and they tasted good. I am not sure what to do next. Do I get the egg laying food, continue the grow food? I also give them some greens (broc, lettuce, kale) and dried meal worms. I read in a post that sometimes what you feed them can change the taste of the egg?

Any advise for me would be helpful?

First, welcome to the wonderful world of chickens. Just two??? Hang on...chicken math can strike at any moment and you will have to get more. I had chickens when I was a boy and now, 60 years later decided to get...maybe 5...when we retired and bought this farm. Well, 25 chickens, 25 ducks, 3 geese and 7 dogs later I am still having to fight the chicken math virus which say I need more birds.

If your hens are laying regularly I would put them on a layer feed to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. Put out a little dish of either oyster shell or crush some of their own egg shells (just crush not too fine) so that they can opt for additional calcium if they need it. Chickens are really good and balancing their own dietary needs. Greens are always good, try to stay away from Iceberg lettuce it really has very little food value and way too much fiber. Put out a little dish of grit to be sure they have what they need to digest their greens. You might also try melon, peaches, things like that which they will really enjoy.

The only thing I know from experience is if you give them garlic (left over spaghetti sauce or garlic toast) you eggs will have a distinct garlic odor and taste for a few days.

Most important, enjoy your birds. Mine are a source of meditation for me and a pleasure to provide for.

 

[MountainOrchard]

We got our first egg!! My girls are all 18 weeks. 3 have been squatting the past couple of days, 2 of my EEs and 1 BO. Looks like the BO won! My 9 year old was so excited. Here's the one I think was the layer: