odd eggs

[cwilly]

I have 5 ISA Brown hens that are about 21 weeks old. About 2 weeks ago, I got my first eggs. I have been getting 3 nice brown eggs every day since, so I assume that only 3 of the hens are laying. Yesterday, along with my 3 regular eggs, I got 1 small brittle egg that had a flat spot on it. Then when I went out yesterday evening there were 2 eggs on the floor of the coop that were transparent and the consistency of rubber!. This morning, I found my 3 nice eggs, and another very small brittle, pale looking egg with the same flat spot. What gives? Is the small brittle egg safe to eat? Thanks for any advice.

 

[thechickenchick]

I had a couple of those funny eggs too. It was when they first started to lay. I think it means there bodies are just getting the hang of things. As long as they arn't leaking they should be safe to eat. However I just tossed the whole thing in a pan and scrambled it up and fed it back to the hens. They loved it!

 

[Kesta]

my chickens are 23 weeks old and still not laying is that normal

 

[thechickenchick]

My understanding is they should be laying at about 19 weeks. However I think dif breeds mature at dif speeds. I have some that arnt laying yet and are about the same age as yours. I cant tell which ones though. I get 6 eggs a day and have 11 that are of age. Does anyone know if there are breeds that lay later than others?

 

[cmom]

I have RIR's. My first bird started laying @ 17 wks, the rest started laying shortly after. The last one started laying @ 27 wks. Some breeds lay more often than others. Leghorns are probably the best layers.

Here is a great site to get information on most every breed. http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[debakadeb]

My chicken book says the average age a chicken starts laying is 17-23 weeks. I think some breeds go even longer than that.