New Jersey

[NJchixs]

so cute! How old is Cookie? 

Cookie just turned 24 weeks.

How do you blow out an egg and preserve it? Do you poke a hole and drain the liquid? How do you keep it from cracking?

When I was a kid we used a needle to poke a hole on both ends of the egg, one maybe just slightly bigger, then blow out the egg gently. You can still use the egg. I don't know if you can put anything on the shell, maybe clear spray.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Congrats NJChixs!!! I'm playing the 'check every morning for an egg' game too!! It really is exciting!!

 

[llandry]

I've got a little while still I think. I just searched back in this thread to see when I got my two oldest. They were born mid to end of April. I got them mid May. I'm thinking mid sept right?

 

[NJchixs]

I've got a little while still I think. I just searched back in this thread to see when I got my two oldest. They were born mid to end of April. I got them mid May. I'm thinking mid sept right?

That sounds about right. But sometimes sooner. Some members are posting eggs from 17-19 week olds n

 

[NJchixs]

Thanks for the congrats everyone. I can't stop checking the coop now, but it seems she is the only one ready.

 

[SparkleChic]

Njchix, congrats! Was she acting anxious? Any signs? How do you know it was her that laid the egg. Mine have been acting anxious lately, so I'm thinking maybe soon, but theyre only about 16 wks. Two have been in and out of the coop lately as if there looking for something. I have not opened up the nesting boxes to them yet. Do you think I should?

 

[NJchixs]

Njchix, congrats! Was she acting anxious? Any signs? How do you know it was her that laid the egg. Mine have been acting anxious lately, so I'm thinking maybe soon, but theyre only about 16 wks. Two have been in and out of the coop lately as if there looking for something. I have not opened up the nesting boxes to them yet. Do you think I should?

What I noticed was cookie started squatting just about six days before she laid the first egg. But I hear not all will squat first, but that's a good sign. Then I noticed her in and out of the coop a lot, and when I would go back there, she would hop into a nest box and move around the golf balls. She also became a lot more vocal when following us around the yard. I caught her in the nest box the second day, and when she stood up, an egg #2. Now this morning, I hear what sounds like a duck im my backyard. I'm still in bed and have the window cracked a bit. I get up to see, and I hear it's from the coop. As I listen I realize IT'S THE EGG SONG! The first time I have heard it and it's sounds just like the videos on you tube, lol. No egg yet as of 8:15 so I will check again in a little while. It's like my birthday with gifts every day. I can't wait for the rest of you to get eggs. Amazing how excited a chicken and an egg can get you.

And you may try putting the golf balls in and uncovering the nest boxes to see what they do. She may getting ready in another week or so and is scouting around.

 

[Lawrosa]

Quote: Yes open the boxes. They need time to look around and see the fake egg you put in. It shows them that another chicken may have laid an egg there. Mine are 14 weeks and I just opened the nest boxes.

They should all be roosting so they will not go in there to sleep or poop. They go in there look around, kick the nest material out and about and stuff. Look at the fake egg, move it around...etc.


I think 16 weeks you better open it up. It depends on the breed also. The large chickens lay later sometimes. Yours are ready possibly. You dont want them to start laying anywhere such as in the run or under a bush if you free range.

Its my opinion also to keep them in the coop or run when they start laying until later in the afternoon for a couple mornings. Such as 11-12pm. This keeps them close to or in the coop by the nest boxes. If you free range them you may start finding eggs in the brush, if you find them at all.

 

[SparkleChic]

Oh, thank you all for your advice. I will open boxes today and set the golf balls.

 

[NJchixs]

3 for 3 on the eggs today.