My first eggs, (i cheated)

[wefroggy]

I got my first eggs today, 3 of them. YEAH. I have my 17 week old chickens, but no eggs from them yet. Yesterday I ended up getting 5 Araucana hens from someone and they are laying. Still my first eggs though!

 

[gocrow77]

Congrats - I confess I did the same thing ! I couldn't wait til my babies started laying for me and got some adult layers from a relative who was moving and selling her flock. I love getting the eggs, but the ones from "my girls" will be extra special because I raised them from babies. Fine looking eggs there!

 

[PippyChicken]

Wow!

Congratulations!

 

[wefroggy]

Quote:
How did you integrate your new hens into your existing flock?

 

[Uppity Peon]

As if you neeeded an excuse to get more chickens....

 

[gocrow77]

How did you integrate your new hens into your existing flock?

Well I did it when I did a coop move at the same time. After they had been in quarentine for a few weeks I moved the coop around to the back of the house. I put the in with the ladies at night and gave everyone about 3 days in the new accomidations to get used to where they were. I think since I had a few "new guys" and they were all older than my exsisting bunch of pullets it really helped. They never fought or anything. Every once in a while if one of my young pullets didn't get out of their way at the feeder fast enough they got a quick peck. But, there was no ripping out of feathers or anything violent. The new hens made it clear they were top of the pecking order and the pullets did not object. I do have some young rooster that were supposed to be pullets in the group as well. The big LB rooster just ignores them. They are still occasionally flaring hackles at each other establishing or reinforcing the roo pecking order, but NEVER at the big guy - he totally leaves them alone. I was a bit worried, but it was really a breeze compared to some of the horror stories I have heard. I think it helps that I free range and they all have plenty of room to avoid each other or flock together as they see fit. I have the sides of my property partially fenced, but nothing at all along the back or front. They get let out of the coop first thing in the morning as long as I'm going to be home.​

 

[CarriBrown]

I love blue eggs. They are so pretty!

 

[trilyn]

Nice job!

I was thinking of doing the same thing-but not enough room in my coop. I'll just have to tough it out!

Hopefully in 4 weeks.......eggs! Although, I'm kind of nervous-you hear all about these soft shelled eggs and whatnot. Makes me wonder what on earth I'm going to find. lol

 

[wefroggy]

I knew these girls were laying, there were 3 eggs in the pen with them when I picked them up, but to actually see eggs in the nest was quite surreal.

 

[gocrow77]

We still get excited over them - my boys argue over who gets to go out and collect, lol.