First Egg Countdown

[Happy Chooks]

Yes, lower ranking hens will get forced out of a nest box by a higher ranking hen. They will peck at them until the move out, and sometimes it results in a bloody comb. No matter how many nest boxes you have, there will always be one that is the favorite.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Thank you, Chooks. It's hard to see that much blood in a nesting box. I thought someone had blown out their vent or something.
She did wind up laying her egg today, poor thing.
The Marans squatted for me today as well, so she might be needing that box soon too.

If I place the fake eggs back in each box, might that help them choose the other box?

 

[Sharon Bee]

Here are two of my girls this morning laying their eggs this cold morning.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thank you, Chooks. It's hard to see that much blood in a nesting box. I thought someone had blown out their vent or something.
She did wind up laying her egg today, poor thing.
The Marans squatted for me today as well, so she might be needing that box soon too.

If I place the fake eggs back in each box, might that help them choose the other box?

Combs bleed like heads on people. If you have some Neosporin without pain reliever you can put that on her comb to help it heal. Just be careful not to get it in her eyes. I have fake eggs in several different boxes, and one box with nothing in it but shavings. Some hens prefer an empty box, so I leave one empty for them.

Here are two of my girls this morning laying their eggs this cold morning.

Nice!

 

[chickenlickin8]

My girls are 22 weeks old and I am ready for some eggs! Their combs are starting to grow rapidly now......maybe a 1st egg for Christmas

 

[Happy Chooks]

I so hate to burst your bubble, but they are not red enough to be laying really soon. I hope they get more red in the face for you soon. Your BR on the bottom is the closest.

 

[Utard]

Here is how mine looked at 16 weeks (sept 22 2013)

One of them started laying on Oct 23 2013 then had 3 laying by Nov 4th.

I am fairly sure the americanas are still not laying.

 

[Kikwi]

1st egg on Saturday! Euskal Oiloa at 2 days shy of 24 weeks. She's laid 3 eggs in four days. Then our Swedish flower started yesterday, at exactly 24 weeks. Two eggs for two days so far from her. Frankly, I'm surprised -- we don't give them any extra light! I guess it's been sunny enough (SF bay area). Yee haw!

 

[Kikwi]

SFH on left, EO on right.

 

[1TurkenLover]

SFH on left, EO on right.

Nice hens.