laying silkie

[Blondiechic]

Much to my delight my silkie has started laying eggs! Having read various posts I didn't really expect them to (I have two fluffies).
What I would like to know, is, will it happen for long? It seems that everyone says they are not regular layers and that they are a broody type - she has laid for three days in a row and has not been bothered about them. If she does get broody can I shut her out from her box during the day? The two girls share a laying box and sleep in it together as well - they are terribly cute!
I also read we are supposed to wash eggs before we eat them - is that true?
Thank you for any replies!

ps how totally cute are their eggs? so small!!

 

[TaylorHobbyFarms]

Congratulations! I am still waiting on my Silkie hen to lay.

 

[Blondiechic]

Fairly sure only one will - the other one we saved and she was rather flat when we got her - literally. My husband thought she was going to die in the car trip home! I think she may have suffered mild brain damage as she isn't quite as bright or as lively as my laying one who I got from a breeder... she has laid four days in a row cute little thing!

 

[Aeropennchick]

Congrats on your eggs!!!

If these are the first eggs you have got from ANY chickens, you should read up a bit on storage and safe handling practices - there is good information on this site about it. The egg is laid with a protective coating called the bloom, that keeps bacteria from entering through the shell. You can of course wash them right before you eat them, but if you are going to be storing them for a few days, you will need to be careful if you wipe them off to not remove that "bloom" covering.

I don't have any eggs yet, my chicks are still little, so I can't give you any first hand info on this. But I hope that helped!

 

[Christie Loves Silkies]

My Silkie girls will lay about 12 eggs and then go broody on me -_-
But I'm sure if the eggs get collected everyday it shouldn't happen ( unless you want them broody ofc)
But congratz on your first egg!