First Eggs - What Now?!

[MLGarber]

I have six Red SLs, 1 RIR, and 1 Brahma. My guess on the Reds is that they are about 15 weeks old, and based on what I know about the Brahma, she's about 2 months older (purely an educated guess because I adopted her later). Anyway, I guess I wasn't expecting eggs for another couple of months for some reason (maybe I'm not as educated as I thought?) but my husband found 3 eggs (and one more that something had already made off with) in the run 2 days ago, just scattered around the ground under the coop.

The eggs were small, and the shells were hard (I thought the first eggs would be softer) but I haven't seen any more over the past 2 days (and I'm checking ALOT)

My questions: How random will the laying be at first? I think its a little early for the reds maybe, but I've read that Brahma's are slow to develop so it may be early for her too? Will it be weeks before they get in the groove or can we expect to see an egg or two this week?

Also, as far as the egg... the yolk looked good, about the size of a quarter (small, but pretty). The white had two parts. One thick and one watery - both clear. Is this normal? We DO have a rooster (by accident)... how long can any fertile eggs sit before they start to develop? In other words, how long do I have to grab it for food before its too late?? (we won't be hatching any chicks - our rooster is a silkie, also adopted later, and we just don't have room for the extra chicks)

I have put some golf balls in the nest boxes to encourage laying there..Other than how to take care off eggs, I couldn't really find much information about this stage of development... the teenage years? first pullet eggs, what to behavior to look for, how to help them figure it all out, etc.

Any info is appreciated! THANK YOU

 

[sumi]

First eggs are usually on the small side, often followed by a few huge double yolkers before the hens get her laying equipment sorted. She will lay an egg and sometimes not lay for a few days. It depends on breeds, but most hens start laying regularly within 2 weeks.
Fertile eggs will not develop unless they are kept warm for a long period, so if you put your eggs in the fridge or on the counter they'll be quite safe. They will stay fresh longer in the fridge though. A very runny white is usually a sign of a older egg, but fresh eggs usually have a thick and a more runny part, it's quite normal.
A good sign that your hen is laying or getting close is a bright red comb and often they'll sing the egg song a day or 2 before they lay the first egg. They will also show much interest in the nest boxes and pay unwelcome attention to more experienced hens when they are laying their eggs.
Hope this helps.

 

[MLGarber]

Thank you. Very Helpful. Still haven't seen any other eggs. I am hoping to see more soon! I am checking several times a day.. Looking forward to a fresh omelet!

The whites were about half and half... I haven't heard the egg song yet, but honestly, I have no idea what that sounds like. When I checked the boxes this morning, one of them had been all shuffled around, but there were still no eggs in it... At least I know they are checking it out!

 

[MLGarber]

Still no more eggs. Its been 4 or 5 days. Is that normal?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Yes, laying can be sporadic as their bodies adjust.

 

[fowl farm]

Sex-links lay a lot early than other chickens, around 15-17 weeks. We got two eggs on Wensday, one egg yesterday, and no eggs today Oh, well. Hopefully they'll get it soon.

 

[MLGarber]

I guess I'll be laughing at this in three months when I have more eggs than I know what to do with.

Thanks, everyone. I'm just feeling a little EAGER! I'm excited!

 

[MLGarber]

Going on a week now. I have two girls that will do the "squat" if I try to pet them, but still no eggs. One of the golf balls was out of the nest box though, so I suppose someone went in to check it out... Just surprised there has been no other egg activity all week. Most people I read see an egg and then get one within a day or two...I'm jealous!

 

[MLGarber]

Egg watch over... you know... until the next one!