Fresh eggs in nest box to encourage laying

[cjpines]

Our chicks are 21 weeks old and not laying. Should we put a fresh egg from our refrigerator in the nest boxes or would they eat them?

 

[5BeachHens]

Just put a fake egg or golf ball so they know where to lay. It won't make them start laying before they are ready

 

[cjpines]

Just put a fake egg or golf ball so they know where to lay. It won't make them start laying before they are ready

Okay, I did put some fake eggs and my husband put a fresh egg only because he wanted to. Like you said, they know when to lay. We're just anxious. Thank you.

 

[krista74]

The waiting is the hardest part, isn't it!

I walked back and forward to my coop (checking for eggs) so many times, I actually lost 3 kilos in two weeks!

Then, when I finally saw an egg sitting there, the shock almost killed me!

I was so used to seeing an empty nest box, ha ha!

The golf balls, or fake eggs, or real eggs that you put in the nest won't start the girls laying any earlier though. What is DOES do is show them where it is appropriate to lay once they are physically ready to do so.

At 21 weeks, they shouldn't be far off now. Do they have plump red combs and wattles, and little red faces? Do they squat when you stand over them? These would be good indicators that they are gearing up to lay.

Good luck! I'm sure it won't be long now

Krista

 

[vehve]

I wouldn't put real eggs there, just because I feel it increases the risk of developing an egg eater. The golf balls have worked for us nicely though, our first layer has laid 13 eggs now, and yesterday our second layer came online. All of them have been laid nicely next to the golf balls. I can't speak for other brands, but we've had great luck with both Wilson and Titleist balls

Now I'm wondering if I should put tennis balls in there instead, as it seems the girls are mimicking the egg size from the golf balls.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I wouldn't put real eggs there, just because I feel it increases the risk of developing an egg eater. The golf balls have worked for us nicely though, our first layer has laid 13 eggs now, and yesterday our second layer came online. All of them have been laid nicely next to the golf balls. I can't speak for other brands, but we've had great luck with both Wilson and Titleist balls 

Now I'm wondering if I should put tennis balls in there instead, as it seems the girls are mimicking the egg size from the golf balls.

Lol, I might try emu eggs under my silkies.

 

[vehve]

Lol, I might try emu eggs under my silkies.

No no, Fancy, again, that might encourage egg eating. Basketballs are what you'll want.

 

[cjpines]

The waiting is the hardest part, isn't it!

I walked back and forward to my coop (checking for eggs) so many times, I actually lost 3 kilos in two weeks!

Then, when I finally saw an egg sitting there, the shock almost killed me!

I was so used to seeing an empty nest box, ha ha!

The golf balls, or fake eggs, or real eggs that you put in the nest won't start the girls laying any earlier though. What is DOES do is show them where it is appropriate to lay once they are physically ready to do so.

At 21 weeks, they shouldn't be far off now. Do they have plump red combs and wattles, and little red faces? Do they squat when you stand over them? These would be good indicators that they are gearing up to lay.

Good luck! I'm sure it won't be long now

Krista

Don't know about squatting while I stand over them, must try it. Yes they have everything else.

 

[cjpines]

Lol, I might try emu eggs under my silkies.

That's just what I told my husband, not to put real eggs in nest box. Better run out and take them away. Tks.