First Egg Countdown

[horsesnchkns]

Oh glad I found this thread. Got my first egg Thursday, held on to it. (And posted it on FB I was so excited!) Another Friday, (nest boxes have been closed up.... Didn't want them sleeping in them.) No egg Saturday, but went ahead and set up the nest boxes ... This morning (Sunday) there was a broken egg under their roost. Like she just popped out the egg while on the roost... Which is maybe 3 1/2 ft off the ground! I put the first eggs in the nest boxes.... Maybe I should swap with fake eggs in case they decide to peck at these? I hope they get the hang of laying in their nest boxes! I have 5 girls, about 23 weeks... Guess we'll see....

 

[Flowerbh]

Oh glad I found this thread. Got my first egg Thursday, held on to it. (And posted it on FB I was so excited!) Another Friday, (nest boxes have been closed up.... Didn't want them sleeping in them.) No egg Saturday, but went ahead and set up the nest boxes ... This morning (Sunday) there was a broken egg under their roost. Like she just popped out the egg while on the roost... Which is maybe 3 1/2 ft off the ground! I put the first eggs in the nest boxes.... Maybe I should swap with fake eggs in case they decide to peck at these? I hope they get the hang of laying in their nest boxes! I have 5 girls, about 23 weeks... Guess we'll see....

Yes...put in fake eggs. If they "try" to taste the real ones, you will be in trouble! Once you have an egg eater, it is almost impossible to break them of it. You would have to get rid of her. Take real eggs out as soon as you can every day!

 

[chickenlickin8]

Got my first eggs this week but the eggs are being laid randomly all over the coop floor NOT in the nest boxes. Only my SLW is using the box....no problem. This is strange because all of my previous flocks over the years have used the nest boxes day one. I have ceramic eggs in there and nothing has changed. Why is this group of girls not using the boxes? I'm so worried them laying on the ground, broken eggs, and egg eating. I have tried placing them in the box but they come right out and search for a corner to lay in. Very frustrating. Any suggestions?

 

[Too Fast]

^^^We're still newbs so we have no advice on how to get them to lay in the boxes, but maybe with more time they will get the point? I'd try completely messing up the area where they are laying.

We got some huge eggs last week, this past weekend we found out why. They were double yolkers, our first like that.

 

[dawnpel]

I also went out this morning and found one egg in a nest box and 2 eggs under the roost!! Both of those were VERY soft shell and broke. Sure hope they decide to use nest boxes!!

 

[LeMasterParty]

I will join. I am anxious to be more active in the forum , so i can stop harrassing my facebook friends with chickens with questions

I have a small flock of 6 1 white leghorn , 3 red sex links , and 2 bantams , they are all right about 16 weeks.

I did just recently switch their feed to a layer feed when the starter feed was gone. a friend who bought her chicks same place in town i did , and in the same week has already found eggs .. so i am sooo anxious for some eggs , will make me start to feel like it's all worth it lol , no i joke, i love my ladies .. I will post again later with some pictures

 

[ChickenFox]

Not only did I get my first ever egg today but I got 2!!!

I thought for sure my Banty's would lay first as they've all been very red for a few weeks and are older than my big girls so it was a major surprise to find these.

Not sure who is responsible for them though. But considering I was greeted by Lady one of my RSL and Wilma my SLW with the huge red wattles and single comb in the coop I'm going to guess them for now until I catch them in the act.

Edit: My big girls are 18 1/2 weeks and my banty's going on 20 weeks

 

[Flowerbh]

One of my 23 1/2 week old Naked Necks finally started squatting a few days ago! Eggs from her soon! She will lay green eggs! Her hatch mates are not quite as red faced as she is, but shouldn't be long!

My Isbar is now 27 1/2 weeks old. She is finally getting red faced. I would be surprised if she doesn't lay in the next week or so. She should lay moss green eggs! Can't wait for all the others to follow. I have about 6 that should start laying this month and about 4 plus a runner duck who could lay next month!

 

[LadyCluck77]

I've been waiting on two white leghorns. This morning, I went to pick up Snow, who had flown over the 5 ft fence again, and she crouched slightly and put her wings out.
Now this may have been a squat, or she may have been considering taking flight. I am not sure with her.... Both of them have very large red combs and wattles and are quite vocal lately. She was yelling at me the whole time I was getting the gate open to put her back in. Maybe she was just protesting being taken from all that green grass.
Any way to tell if its a submission squat? Will she do it again if she has done it once?

 

[ChickenFox]

Woo! Just found my 3rd egg! Think I may have prematurely congratulated Wilma as this egg is larger and different colored than the first 2. Happy chicken Mama!