First timer preparing for first egg

[chickencheeper]

Hi, we are hopefully awaiting the arrival of our first egg from our 6 chickens(1 Rhode Island, 1 B.O., 1 S.L.W.,& 3 Plymouth barred rocks,)
We figured our best bet for first egg is our Rhode Island Red ("Ember"), we are wondering what preparations need to be made, we have the nesting boxes set up, but do we need fake eggs? Any other preparation tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[BYCforlife]

Fake eggs always help, but I never use them.

Do you have oyster shells on hand? They need them or else their egg quality goes down.

 

[BYCforlife]

Also, make sure to block off any places/nooks and crannies that look like nesting boxes. My hens lay in a corner that is unintentionally a little comfortable.

 

[chickencheeper]

Also, make sure to block off any places/nooks and crannies that look like nesting boxes. My hens lay in a corner that is unintentionally a little comfortable.

Ok thanks!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I would use the fake eggs, as it teaches the new egg layers where they're expected to lay.

 

[aart]

I like using fake eggs in all nests, spread the love.
New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

 

[chickencheeper]

I like using fake eggs in all nests, spread the love.
New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

Would ping-pong balls work?

 

[barred2rock]

Would ping-pong balls work?

Ping-pong balls might be a lil on the light side.. They may get kicked out of the nest too easily.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Golf balls are good!

 

[barred2rock]

You can also use rocks that are approximate to egg shape & size.