Our First Egg.... but my hubby didn't stick to the game plan

[achickenhead]

So yesterday I was away from home for a night working. When I checked in with my husband he said we got our first egg! We have 10 Isa Browns that are 16 weeks today. He found it in the nesting box...but he said it was small and had a little crack on it...so he just decided to crack it and see what it looked like...double yolker!

But he tossed it! No picture

I didn't even get to lay my eyes on it Today when I got home he said we had no eggs but when we were walking around the yard we found a little egg on the ground (we let them free range sometimes). It was so amazing to see that little weird looking egg Didn't eat this one either as we don't know how long it has been out. I actually put it into the nesting boxes maybe that will help?

Sooo..what can I expect over the next couple of weeks. Any info on what I can do/expect?

I know posts mention they don't always get the hang of the nesting boxes?

Should we not let them free range till they get how to use the boxes?

What is this about their sounds when they lay? Do they lay anytime or just mornings?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Metanoia]

What time do you let them out? Do you let them freerange all day? Do you have a run you can keep them in?

Most people suggest that if you are worried your hens started laying and aren't going back to the boxes, to keep them locked in a run with coop access for a couple of days (I would say up to a week to form a habit), and see if they will lay in their boxes naturally.

You could also try putting an artificial egg or a golf ball in one or two nest boxes so they "get the idea".

Hope this helps... mine went straight to the nest boxes, so I don't really have any other advice.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Great advice!

 

[Metanoia]

I missed your last question!

Mine usually lay in the morning, though I get an occassional afternoon egg from someone.

I haven't heard the egg song yet from mine... and I even caught one in the act of laying... It is either an acquired song as they get older, or something only some hens do I think.

Congrats on the double yolker. I'm sure you'll get bigger eggs with time.

 

[PunkinPeep]

My hen sings "the song" often and has since she was about 18 or 20 weeks - but still no eggs.....that is unless she's hiding them from me.

 

[ginbart]

When mine started laying one hen was making so much noise I thought something was after them. I ran to the barn and looked and there she was standing on the railing of the nesting box just squawking away. It was like she was saying come look at this strange thing I did.

 

[achickenhead]

Thanks everyone for your responses. After today (as I let them out this morning and there is no way to round them up

I will keep them in the run for the next few days as suggested. Went to look this morning and didn't find anything - but it is well worth the wait.

We have a few Americauna crosses as well so I am looking forward to their coloured eggs!