I CANT WAIT ANYMORE FOR THESE EGGS!!!!!

[islandgirl82]

You're welcome!

As long as the eggs aren't already cracked/broken you can eat them as soon as you gather them. I have a mixed age flock that includes 4 yrs, 8 months and 5 months and they're all on starter / grower. Layer feed has a lower protein level and far too high in calcium for anyone not laying (including males). I just add calcium on the side using their own shells and oyster shell. Those who need it, eat it and those who don't, leave it

 

[kbarrett]

Congratulations!!!

Eat straight away lol! I have many a time walked out to the coop before fixing breakfast

Mine started laying last Friday. The first egg I found 1 egg on the floor in the coop, the second and third in the run, the fourth & fifth on the poop board. I've been a little frustrated, in years past I have found the odd egg on the floor or on the run and figured they got surprised now and then. We did modify the coop this spring. I sold the flock I had and we rebuilt the run and I redid the coop with a poop board under the roost and made 4 egg boxes underneath the poop board. My old set up was 4 home made boxes in a square and they just flew up to the lip of the box with no perch in front. After finding two in a row not in next boxes I tried curtains made of feed bags. The following day I decided they needed more of a landing spot to get in the boxes and added a ledge in front, but the next day I found two eggs not in the boxes. This morning I had the time to hang out after feeding. I found the egg on the floor in the corner and 2 of the leghorns came in and acted like they were about to lay on the poop board. I picked her up and put her in a nest box. I think I stood there a good 20 min until she laid her egg. In the meantime I watched the golden comet try to check out one of the other boxes and realized there was not enough head space to land comfortably and check out the box. I just added another section of perch that extends out even further and stood quietly and watch every hen come in check out the new landing spots and go in and out of the boxes, one of them even rearranged the shavings and sat for a while before hopping out.

I think it was just a design flaw and hopefully tomorrow they will use the boxes!

 

[pfewless]

The picture in my profile is Isa and Brownie I am waiting for them to lay they are now 20 weeks old. Legs is in the coop as she does not like our weather today. Can anyone tell me if they are looking ready to lay? I know my photo is not the greatest. Also can someone tell me how I can gaan permission to create attachments here on BYC? I tried and it says I do not have it.

 

[Sienatiger]

pfewless, could you get a better picture of their face please?

 

[Sienatiger]

I just put curtains in the coop. I put my RIR in the nesting boxes, but she just ran out. do you have any ideas how to get her to lay in the coop? congrats everyone on your first egg!

 

[islandgirl82]

I just put curtains in the coop. I put my RIR in the nesting boxes, but she just ran out. do you have any ideas how to get her to lay in the coop? congrats everyone on your first egg!

Give her some time, chickens don't like change but they're also curious little beasties and whether she's the first investigate or not, someone will. Once one takes to then nests, the others will hopefully follow suit.

 

[Theegoliath]

I am in the same boat as everyone here. I just talked to my wife about this issue last night. Our girls are 23 weeks this week, bright red combs, but still not squatting for us like our 1yr olds do. We are just sick of buying eggs from costco : o

 

[pfewless]

I will try to get a better picture of their faces tonight when i feed. If not in the morning. I did have someone look at my girls and they said they are still molting and their faces are not full red yet. They also said they are to big to be 20 week pullets. I think maybe if I dont see anything in the next month I may do a vet check just to get a baseline on health. Any opinions?

 

[islandgirl82]

I will try to get a better picture of their faces tonight when i feed. If not in the morning. I did have someone look at my girls and they said they are still molting and their faces are not full red yet. They also said they are to big to be 20 week pullets. I think maybe if I dont see anything in the next month I may do a vet check just to get a baseline on health. Any opinions?

How long have you had your girls?

Laying slows down considerably during Autumn and Winter and may even stop completely during the winter. They need about 12-14 hours of daylight to lay consistently so if you want to give them artificial light, that will help get them producing eggs again. Hens who are heading into their second cold season tend to go through heavier molts than a pullet heading into her first winter. From your avatar, it does look like your girls are going through a heavier molt than a pullet would so unless you've had them since they were chicks, I'd say whomever told you they look older than 20 weeks, isn't far off.

 

[Sienatiger]

ViCtory!!!!!! She LAYED in the nesting boxes! Thanks so much for all your help and support!