/ Register

  1. Check out our Random Pics Page here, or learn more about it here.

First eggs totday with mixed results

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by imthedude, Jul 17, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jul 17, 2010 #1
    imthedude

    imthedude Songster

    319
    2
    121
    Mar 9, 2010
    CO
    I went out about 6:45 this morning to let the girls out. I heard the song when I was about halfway there. When I opened the door, there were our first two eggs laying on the coop floor below the roosts. They had either broken after they were laid (likely) or been pecked or been laid with little or no shell. Is it common for the first few eggs to be thin shelled or maybe non-shelled since I just today put out their oyster shell? Also, aside from the golf balls, how else can I encourage the ladies to lay in their nests, or will they just "get it" after time?
     
  2. Jul 17, 2010 #2
    Happy Chooks

    Happy Chooks Free Ranging Staff Member Premium Member 9 Years

    40,157
    2,385
    566
    Jul 9, 2009
    Northern CA
    My Coop
    Yes, it's common to have some soft shelled eggs when they begin laying. Make sure you have oyster shell offered, and they'll work it out. Make sure you clean up the broken egg mess, you don't want egg eaters.

    ETA: It may take a week or so, but they'll get the hang of the nest boxes.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 17, 2010
  3. Jul 17, 2010 #3
    Gold Griffin Chicken Mom

    Gold Griffin Chicken Mom Songster

    460
    2
    121
    Jun 21, 2010
    Suffolk, Virginia
    At Easter time I bought two glass eggs from Dollar Tree. The hens like them, but they really love the extra large stone egg. Unfortunately, little miss broody sits on the stone egg and it stays warm a long time if I pull her off the nest. (It may need to come live in the house until she's past broodiness.)

    But anyway, watch yard sales and stores. Let your friends know you're looking for eggs that the hens can't break. I can tell you from long experience that sand filled plastic eggs will eventually break. We once had an old salt shaker that was vaguely egg shaped.

    Hope this helps!
     
  4. Jul 18, 2010 #4
    imthedude

    imthedude Songster

    319
    2
    121
    Mar 9, 2010
    CO
    got a fully shelled egg in the nest today. someone is getting the hang of it!
     
  5. Jul 18, 2010 #5
    chickendude

    chickendude Songster

    1,522
    21
    173
    Jun 4, 2009
    Dutchess County NY
    Glad to here they are getting the hang of it!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: