New layer

[Maryeb]

One of my chickens finally laid eggs! Found 4 in a nest in the coop yesterday and 1 today. The roo stood by her while she laid the 1 today. Is that normal? If the egg is fertile will she stay on the egg? My muscovies sleep in the coop at night. Should i let that continue or put them in their own run w shelter? Hopefully my muscovies will start laying also.

 

[Bryce Thomas]

Its normal. When my black silkie was broody every 15 minutes my rooster visited the nesting box to make sure she was alright

She will not stay on the egg if it is fertile, laying on eggs is called broodiness. Its when a female bird decides to sit on eggs and wants to hatch chicks, she will do so. The earliest I have had a hen become broody is after laying her 7th egg ever. It was super early but I got her off the nest and fast. Only let a female bird sit on the nest if you want chicks, if you don't want new members aka chicks, remove her from the nest.

 

[aart]

One of my chickens finally laid eggs! Found 4 in a nest in the coop yesterday and 1 today. The roo stood by her while she laid the 1 today. Is that normal?

A good male will often stay by the new layers while they lay.
So, yes, normal.

If the egg is fertile will she stay on the egg?

Broodiness(wanting to hatch eggs) has nothing to do with whether the eggs are fertile or not. Collect all eggs daily.

 

[Maryeb]

A good male will often stay by the new layers while they lay.
So, yes, normal.


Broodiness(wanting to hatch eggs) has nothing to do with whether the eggs are fertile or not. Collect all eggs daily.

I do. She lays around 2pm. I candled them and they