First egg

[cpolash]

So on tuesday i went to check on chickens to find our very first egg. I have 13 hens and a rooster. Since tuesday i have not gotten anymore eggs. We got our chickens march 3rd 2016. My chickens are free roam in the afternoon most days. Our first egg was actually very big. Could she be laying somewhere in the yard or woods.

 

[Boone Farm]

So on tuesday i went to check on chickens to find our very first egg. I have 13 hens and a rooster. Since tuesday i have not gotten anymore eggs. We got our chickens march 3rd 2016. My chickens are free roam in the afternoon most days. Our first egg was actually very big. Could she be laying somewhere in the yard or woods.

Anytime you have free ranging chickens, theres the risk of them laying just about anywhere. One way to help try and get them to lay in their nesting boxes is to keep them in their coop/run for the first few days they are laying. Also adding wood or ceramic eggs to your boxes can help them realize that they should lay there.

My first two eggs were smack dab in the middle of the yard before she realized what was happening and started laying in the box. Good luck!

 

[cpolash]

Anytime you have free ranging chickens, theres the risk of them laying just about anywhere. One way to help try and get them to lay in their nesting boxes is to keep them in their coop/run for the first few days they are laying. Also adding wood or ceramic eggs to your boxes can help them realize that they should lay there.

My first two eggs were smack dab in the middle of the yard before she realized what was happening and started laying in the box. Good luck!

Ive been trying to keep them in coop till around 2 the last two days. I try to keep them in the run as well after that but my leghorn hens are escaping and flying over my 5ft fence. Need to get netting over the top. Im going to try to leave them in the coop today and see what happens. Is it normal to have that big of a egg for the first one? Or for her to possibly not lay another for this long of a period of time. Ive been searching their favorite hang outs. But woods are a little bit harder due to brush and thrones.

 

[Boone Farm]

I will say Mine just started laying and her first egg was easily her smallest of the 8 I've gotten from her. She also layed 8 in 10 days so personally I find it unlikely that you haven't gotten an egg since Tuesday.

If you have a wooded covered area that is the most likely place the chickens would lay. I know most chickens lay in the mornings so it's a good idea to keep them in the coop/run till the afternoon.

I think my chicken is the exception not the rule but her first 4 eggs all came after 5pm! The first time she layed in her coop was at 7:30pm right before the hens went to roost! So there is endless possibilities of where and when they could lay their eggs.

 

[cpolash]

Making breakfast for kids oldest of course wants to eat her chickens first egg. Cracked and this is a suprise to me!!

 

[Boone Farm]

Making breakfast for kids oldest of course wants to eat her chickens first egg. Cracked and this is a suprise to me!!

That makes sense why it was bigger! They do have random complications early in their laying careers. Looks like a wonderful egg!

 

[cpolash]

Ive seen double yolks before just shocked so early. Also after cooking yolk is red/dark orange in color is that normal if fertilized. Or did a just cook a future baby.

 

[Boone Farm]

Backyard eggs will almost always be more orange/red than a store bought egg. It is based on diet and just proves how much better for you backyard eggs are to store bought eggs. It has nothing to do with being fertilized. Also early on is the most likely to have any kind of egg issues whether it is soft shell, partially colored shells, or double yokes.

 

[cpolash]

Backyard eggs will almost always be more orange/red than a store bought egg. It is based on diet and just proves how much better for you backyard eggs are to store bought eggs. It has nothing to do with being fertilized. Also early on is the most likely to have any kind of egg issues whether it is soft shell, partially colored shells, or double yokes.

I made farm fresh eggs this morning and color was a huge difference was my only concern they do not a have a rooster so didnt know if that was cause or not. I really appreciate all the answers to my crazy questions

 

[cpolash]

Their chickens are also alot older as well.