I'm thinking pullets...what do you think?

[Shaggyhag]

In regard to diet... When do you start giving your chickens layer feed? Mine are all 18 weeks old...

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

In regard to diet... When do you start giving your chickens layer feed? Mine are all 18 weeks old...

Around this time. 20 weeks is normally a good time

 

[Shaggyhag]

To eat or not to eat...I was told not to eat the first eggs that are layed. What is your take?

 

[donrae]

Beautiful flock of pullets.

Something to keep in mind is birds love to hide eggs. Especially young layers, they don't know they're "supposed" to lay in the nice box you made, they want to hide the clutch under a bush, behind a trash can, etc. You might try confining them to the coop for a few days and see if you get any eggs..although they do still look a little light combed to be laying, overall.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

To eat or not to eat...I was told not to eat the first eggs that are layed. What is your take?

The shell is usually a little hard to crack and some of the eggs can be oddly shaped. I have been told the the first egg doesn't taste as good as the ones they lay after a couple, but there is nothing wrong with them. So I can tell you they look ok, but can't tell you how they taste from experience (I do not like eggs). I have baked with them before and the cake or whatever I was making never tasted any different.

 

[sourland]

All are pullets and not quite ready to start laying. I grew up poor so we ate a lot of pullet eggs - why not???

 

[donrae]

I eat first eggs all the time. I can't really tell who is laying or who just started, so they're just all eggs to me. Never noticed any difference.

 

[bhwk40]

Pine straw works great for nesting

 

[hosspak]

Well I think that everyone of them are roosters and you should deliver them to my ranch here.... I guess I can take care of them for you..... lol

 

[Tricoglossus]

I eat first eggs all the time. I can't really tell who is laying or who just started, so they're just all eggs to me. Never noticed any difference.

The only time I have been told not to eat the first eggs is if the first eggs are laid whilst the pullets are still eating the pullet grower feed, or during the first two week transition to layer feed. This is because of the coccidiostat that is in the pullet grower feed. The "washout period" where the coccidiostat leaves the pullet's body takes about 2 weeks.