first eggs?

[therealestchicken]

our hens should be about ready to lay their first eggs, i remember doing the math when we got them and it was the end of december so what should i expect? developed eggs? will they know to use the nesting boxes? i noticed for the first time the roosters jumping on them does that mean they are laying already and i just cant find the eggs?

 

[nuthatched]

How old are they? Their diet?
Roosters mating means nothing. What do you mean by developed eggs?

 

[Ridgerunner]

our hens should be about ready to lay their first eggs, i remember doing the math when we got them and it was the end of december so what should i expect?

Don't put too much faith in those numbers. They are not talking about every pullet of that breed. What those numbers generally mean is that if you have pretty good conditions and enough pullets for averages to mean much you are likely to see your first egg about then. Those odds are for each pullet. You may have a bunch of early starters, you may have a bunch of late starters. There is some luck involved.

This is a case where knowing roughly where you are could help. Are you north or south of the equator?

If you are south of the equator you probably have pretty good conditions. The days are about as long as they are going to get. I'd expect you to see an egg relatively soon.

If you are north of the equator the days are really short. It is still possible some could start laying but it is also possible they could wait for the longer days of the spring.

developed eggs?

Putting an egg together so it can be laid is pretty complicated, a lot of different steps. When they first start, especially if they start early, they can have problems getting all those steps correct. It is not unusual to get a few weird eggs when they first start: soft shelled, no shell, double yolked, no yolk, just a yolk and no white, or something else really weird. They are probably going to be pretty small. As complicated as it is, most do get it right to start with.

will they know to use the nesting boxes?

Knowing when and where to lay an egg is part of that process. Some don't control when the egg is laid and may drop them from the roosts or just walking around. It may take them some time to get a handle on it. Many pullets do know it is coming and may look for a place to make a nest as much as a week before the first egg. That may or may not be your nests. Some places other than your nests may look great to them. It can help to put a fake egg in your nests to show them where to lay. It does not always work but it can make a difference. I use golf balls. You can get wooden or ceramic eggs.

i noticed for the first time the roosters jumping on them does that mean they are laying already and i just cant find the eggs?

I agree with Nuthatched, mating doesn't prove anything. If they are willingly squatting for the boys it is a sign that they could possibly, maybe, might be laying or close to it but it is not for sure. I suspect they are really immature cockerels, not mature roosters. It may just mean the cockerels have become active.

When a hen or pullet is ready to lay her comb and wattles often turn bright red. Other things can cause that but it is a pretty good sign. You can also look at their vents. If they are tight and dry they are not laying. if the vent is soft, pink, and moist they are pretty close to laying.

Good luck, it is an exciting time.

 

[MountainWoman73]

I have 3 pullets hatched on the first of July who I expect could start laying any time now. So I'll wait with you.

A bright red comb, rearranging straw in the nest boxes, and voluntarily squatting for the rooster (or you) are the best indicators that they're just about ready. But if it's winter where you are, it wouldn't be unusual for them to wait until spring.

 

[therealestchicken]

How old are they? Their diet?
Roosters mating means nothing. What do you mean by developed eggs?

we have been feeding them chick starter, and recently with a little high protein scratch

 

[therealestchicken]

I have 3 pullets hatched on the first of July who I expect could start laying any time now. So I'll wait with you.

A bright red comb, rearranging straw in the nest boxes, and voluntarily squatting for the rooster (or you) are the best indicators that they're just about ready. But if it's winter where you are, it wouldn't be unusual for them to wait until spring.

I am very excited to get our first eggs!! it is winter here right now but we dont get snow and usually temps dont get colder than the 40s at night

 

[therealestchicken]

Don't put too much faith in those numbers. They are not talking about every pullet of that breed. What those numbers generally mean is that if you have pretty good conditions and enough pullets for averages to mean much you are likely to see your first egg about then. Those odds are for each pullet. You may have a bunch of early starters, you may have a bunch of late starters. There is some luck involved.

This is a case where knowing roughly where you are could help. Are you north or south of the equator?

If you are south of the equator you probably have pretty good conditions. The days are about as long as they are going to get. I'd expect you to see an egg relatively soon.

If you are north of the equator the days are really short. It is still possible some could start laying but it is also possible they could wait for the longer days of the spring.


Putting an egg together so it can be laid is pretty complicated, a lot of different steps. When they first start, especially if they start early, they can have problems getting all those steps correct. It is not unusual to get a few weird eggs when they first start: soft shelled, no shell, double yolked, no yolk, just a yolk and no white, or something else really weird. They are probably going to be pretty small. As complicated as it is, most do get it right to start with.


Knowing when and where to lay an egg is part of that process. Some don't control when the egg is laid and may drop them from the roosts or just walking around. It may take them some time to get a handle on it. Many pullets do know it is coming and may look for a place to make a nest as much as a week before the first egg. That may or may not be your nests. Some places other than your nests may look great to them. It can help to put a fake egg in your nests to show them where to lay. It does not always work but it can make a difference. I use golf balls. You can get wooden or ceramic eggs.


I agree with Nuthatched, mating doesn't prove anything. If they are willingly squatting for the boys it is a sign that they could possibly, maybe, might be laying or close to it but it is not for sure. I suspect they are really immature cockerels, not mature roosters. It may just mean the cockerels have become active.

When a hen or pullet is ready to lay her comb and wattles often turn bright red. Other things can cause that but it is a pretty good sign. You can also look at their vents. If they are tight and dry they are not laying. if the vent is soft, pink, and moist they are pretty close to laying.

Good luck, it is an exciting time.

thank you for explaining to me, you are very knowledgable!

 

[ShesSoPecky]

our hens should be about ready to lay their first eggs, i remember doing the math when we got them and it was the end of december so what should i expect? developed eggs? will they know to use the nesting boxes? i noticed for the first time the roosters jumping on them does that mean they are laying already and i just cant find the eggs?

I'm a new member, too. Just received 2 Sex Linked pullets. I put a nest box in Thursday and had my 1st egg this morning. It's a really exciting time. I appreciate having the community here to share the news!

 

[therealestchicken]

we'

I'm a new member, too. Just received 2 Sex Linked pullets. I put a nest box in Thursday and had my 1st egg this morning. It's a really exciting time. I appreciate having the community here to share the news!

we're getting almost a dozen a day now haha

 

[ShesSoPecky]

we'

we're getting almost a dozen a day now haha