First Egg! Questions on layer feed and egg storage?!

[flipflops]

Hi guys and gals! I have 3 hens that are all about 22 weeks old, and I got my first egg this morning I believe from my Salmon Faverolle hen, I am guessing from her based on size and color. We are in Southern VA and temps have been consistently about 30-40 at night. I am guessing they are not going to lay on a regular basis because of temps. But is it time now to switch to layer feeds? They have been on grower feed. I also have 4 1.5 month old pullets as well, I still have them on chick starter. I do not have them outside yet because they do not quite have all their feathers and I feel are still small enough to be inside in their huge box.
Also on egg storage? Are fresh eggs to stay in the fridge or ok out? I know eggs from the store are fridge kept due to all the coating being gone. So just wondering the procedure! Just excited about the 1st egg! Also this is my first go at raising chickens!

 

[Folly's place]

I feed everyone Flock Raiser, an all- flock feed, rather than sorting out layers from non- layers, chicks, etc. Easier, and with the separate oyster shell, very good nutrition. I find that layer is marginal nutritionally for my flock.
I wash and refrigerate eggs, which is recommended in microbiology, safe food handling, and many other places. Refrigeration keeps eggs edible much longer than room temps. Some people do keep unwashed eggs on the counter, and they will be fine for a much shorter time. It's traditional, but I'm all for modern refrigeration! Mary

 

[rjohns39]

Personally, I keep them on the grower and provide Oyster shell free choice. It will be easier when you integrate the youngens. As for the eggs, entirely your call. Isn't that first egg so exciting? I store mine on the counter unless I feel the need to wash them, then they go into the fridge.

 

[flipflops]

Oh wow, I had no idea I could keep them on grower? I thought it was a must to put them on layer when the first egg came about. I have actually had free choice oyster shells out now for about 2 weeks. They dont mess with them or eat them very much.

 

[N F C]

I agree with Folly on the all-flock and separate oyster shell.

However, I don't refrigerate my eggs and only rinse them off right before using. But then, I only have 5 girls so it's not hard to use the eggs up quickly.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, congrats on your first egg!

I would just offer oyster shell on the side until ALL girls are laying. And you don't even have to switch to layer if you don't want. In fact Faverolles are dual purpose chickens and 16% protein may be too low long term as it's intended for light bodied layers like leghorn.

Because most of my birds are dual purpose in addition to having chicks, pullets, roosters, layers... I use flock raiser with 20% protein and offer oyster shell on the side. I never use layer. It (flock raiser) is acceptable for all my birds and simple to feed everyone the same.

Please note that laying is NOT effected by the cold... but the hormone that tells them to lay is effected by the amount of daylight hours. It just happens to get colder as we lose daylight. Girls coming into lay this time of year are often a little delayed. In fact, faverolle tend to be slower developing than other breeds, so that would be surprising to me if it was her that laid. Though ALL are individual and anything is possible! Everybody should have pullet sized eggs, though there may be occasion when they first start laying that they get double or triple yolkers from the reproductive system working out it's kinks. And those will seem huge! What other girls do you have?

 

[flipflops]

Mine are out of the grower right now. I was using Dumor brand but I think I want to switch to the Purina Flock Raiser as it seems to be a better quality. I just ran out of the Dumor this morning. Is it ok to switch them like that?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Forgot about the storage question...

I NEVER wash my eggs (8 years now)! The ones I am using within the week are OK at room temp. Anything longer and though they don't rot, they definitely diminish in quality and become more runny.

I have had eggs stored in the fridge unwashed in the fridge for an excess of 6 month... and they were STILL better than store bought quality!

I keep my nest boxes clean and just wipe the eggs with a dry cloth before storage. If any are soiled I wash them under cold running water and then cook them to feed back to the animals. I set all shells aside in a manner they can dry out (and not grow mold), then I crush them and feed back to the chickens.

Also, I won't take eggs from the fridge and leave on the counter as the sweating can diminish the bloom. So I just use them directly if they are refrigerated.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Mine are out of the grower right now. I was using Dumor brand but I think I want to switch to the Purina Flock Raiser as it seems to be a better quality. I just ran out of the Dumor this morning. Is it ok to switch them like that?

Maybe not idea according to some... but I would make the switch. My birds prefer crumble over pellets.

 

[flipflops]

The dumor was a grower crumble but it was very powdery.