First Egg Countdown

[gwenirish11]

4 down 1 to go!!! Not sure if it was Gyspy or Iris It's minty green so I'm guessing gyspy because she is an EE Irish is ameraucana so I'm sorta counting on blue form her....either way um....YAY!!

Kinda dark to get a great picture but here it is!!

 

[OleMissChic]

The first eggs can be misfires and misplaced. I believe my Easter Egger laid shell-less eggs a couple of times before her egg-making factory got into full swing.

Just put a dummy egg (golf ball, ceramic egg, ping pong ball etc) in the box, and they should settle into things soon.

Oh, and congrats!

Thank you Pele. I should have looked at the other posts as well, it seems this isn't too uncommon. I think one of my Red Stars layed it since she's gotten very red the past week, has squatted a couple times when I walk up and I've seen her loitering around the nesting boxes but not going inside, just looking. I have a wooden egg in each box so hopefully this was a misfire. Overall I'm so happy I have my first egg(shell)!

 

[OleMissChic]

Round 2 begins! I just caught my Red Star, Serafina, making a nest. She found a moving box outside of the coop I used to bring some straw in. She made the remaining straw into a cute circular nest and I'm hoping this time the egg doesn't shatter. She's been in there a long time! I've noticed she has been very vocal the past couple days and I'd swear her status went up in the pecking order...is that possible? The other pullets and my young roo don't seem to be giving her a hard time and follow her around more?

Here's a bad pic of Serafina in her makeshift nest. If I remove the box will it stop her from laying for awhile? Such an exciting day!

 

[debid]

Thank you Pele. I should have looked at the other posts as well, it seems this isn't too uncommon. I think one of my Red Stars layed it since she's gotten very red the past week, has squatted a couple times when I walk up and I've seen her loitering around the nesting boxes but not going inside, just looking. I have a wooden egg in each box so hopefully this was a misfire. Overall I'm so happy I have my first egg(shell)!

I had one that dropped hers from the roost for the first week. It's like she felt off but didn't know why so she sought the most secure place she knew. It took a few times for her to put the feelings and the appearance of the egg together.

 

[OleMissChic]

Thank you debid, I just got my first real egg! I'm concerned if I move the box she will find another hiding place. They free range during the day so maybe I should keep them in their coop a few more hours in the morning? Oh happy day!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congrats!

 

[debid]

I don't think removing the box would stop her from laying but you're right that she may find a new, less-than-ideal hiding place. Are your nest boxes open-topped? Or traditional front-entry holes? Maybe a piece of fabric stapled across part of the front would darken the box and make it more appealing? I know most chickens prefer to lay their egg next to another egg but if yours is more inclined to find a dark hole, I'd do my best to make that available in the coop.

 

[OleMissChic]

I don't think removing the box would stop her from laying but you're right that she may find a new, less-than-ideal hiding place. Are your nest boxes open-topped? Or traditional front-entry holes? Maybe a piece of fabric stapled across part of the front would darken the box and make it more appealing? I know most chickens prefer to lay their egg next to another egg but if yours is more inclined to find a dark hole, I'd do my best to make that available in the coop.

Happy Chooks - thank you for the congrats! I literally teared up. My little hen seemed so proud!
debid - I'm wondering if I should keep them in the coop longer in the morning? My nest boxes are front entry holes. I've seen her start to get into them the past few days and I'm not sure if I disturbed her or not. I also have fake wooden eggs in the boxes. Hopefully we will sort this out soon.

 

[Happy Chooks]

They often get "surprised" by the first few eggs. Just give her time and she'll get to the nesting boxes. Mess up any nest you find elsewhere.

 

[Pele]

Congrats OleMissChic!!! I have to admit, I almost got teary eyed too when I got my very first egg . It's such a great moment, and a culmination of a journey from when you first get those tiny fluffy chicks.