MY FIRST EGG...(pics)

[verycherry]

the chickens free range..so I thought I did not have to give grit as well....is this correct?

I'd like to know this too. I haven't given mine grit either, because I'd read somewhere that they don't have to have it if they free range, but I'm not sure if it was a good source of information or not. I have seen them eat little rocks and they get dirt in there mouth all the time when they dust bath and scratch around for worms and bugs. I've just started oyster shell this past week.

Congrats on your first egg! We're at week 17, so we're getting very anxious.​

 

[tfpets]

You asked when the egg would harden, and in my experience, the soft membrane will wrinkle as it dries, the egg wont harden like a normal egg - its missing the shell

Its more like wrinkly plastic later and it dries that way. I tossed mine cause it was so hard to tell it was an egg any more, they get kinda nasty.

 

[Mahonri]

May not have a shell, but you can cut the membrane and fry it up or boil it... it will be tasty.

 

[Dar]

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I didnt think this egg would harden but when will the rest of the eggs harden I have oyster shells in there for them..

also do free range chickens need grit?

 

[Alaskan]

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Yep, they will keep getting bigger. It takes a while I think though, like a couple of weeks (I think). Anyone know exactly how long it takes before it is full size?

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PPs answered that one...I think you just got one without a shell.

And GEE GOLLY those chickens are BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Where did you get them?

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I think chickens tell you by their clucking. A happy chicken has a happy steady cluck.

 

[Alaskan]

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I didnt think this egg would harden but when will the rest of the eggs harden I have oyster shells in there for them..

also do free range chickens need grit?

You should think of this soft egg as an 'oops', the rest should be fine. But it is more common to have 'oops' eggs with young chickens. Other oops would funny shapes.

I don't think they need grit when out free range (especially if they have lots of space), but I would like to hear other opinions.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
Yep, they will keep getting bigger. It takes a while I think though, like a couple of weeks (I think). Anyone know exactly how long it takes before it is full size?

Quote:
PPs answered that one...I think you just got one without a shell.

And GEE GOLLY those chickens are BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Where did you get them?

Quote:
I think chickens tell you by their clucking. A happy chicken has a happy steady cluck.

I got them from a local Hatchery called Freys (they have a website)

I thought all the clucking was they were looking for other members of the flock

 

[Alaskan]

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But there is different clucking. It sounds different when they are scared, or if they are lost and trying to find everyone else.

Like when you have chicks and their peeps sound different if they are cold and uncomfortable or if the temperature is just right.

 

[Dar]

I have had a few comments on my gals...and what kind of a chicken mommy if I did not show the rest of my girls off too

I have 10 in total 4 whites
3 brown
and 3 black

 

[Alaskan]

Those birds are fantastic! Super shiny feathers and so healthy looking!

You *must* be doing a great job!