Pondering - What does a bird think the first time it lays an egg???

[MicroFarmMom]

So I started getting 2 eggs a day now from my ladies who are nearly 8wks old. Only 5 are withholding now.
But I had to wonder - what on earth do these birds think when they lay their first egg?? They have been crapping these liquid craps their whole lives, and now suddenly they have this god awful, large HARD turd? Do they look back and wonder, "What the HELL is that!?!?!" .......

Also - I have had a light on them for 5 nights now, and I have noticed about 2-3 days ago that we are getting a ton of feathers everywhere? I looked at the birds and no one is looking abused or particularly naked so...what gives?

 

[pips&peeps]

Quote:
The better question is what do they think when it starts happening on a regular basis...........................

 

[shelleyd2008]

My guess is:

Holy CRAP!! Where'd THAT come from?!?!?!?

ETA: My guess on the feathers is that the extra light has induced a molt...don't hold your breath waiting on the other girls to start laying

 

[MicroFarmMom]

What causes molting, how long does it last and how soon after its over do they lay again!?

 

[pascopol]

In my observation coturnix quail hens drop eggs like there is nothing to it. I,ve seen them busy eating and dropping eggs at the same time without slightest interruption of eating process.

Chicken hens work hard laying eggs, some of them suffers and dies in great pain getting eggbound.

 

[sourland]

Ouch, now why did I ever do that?

I wish I'd been born a cockerel.

I've got to do this every day?

 

[Robo]

I doubt coturnix hens even know where those little balls that are fun to roll into the egg colector come from. My hens just roll them around usually, I fixed the egg eater though. My method is hard to beat, ask the quail.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Molting is caused partly by the increased light, and partially due to increases in temperature. They lose their 'winter' feathers (thicker/heavier) for a lighter coat of feathers for summer. They shouldn't take too long to start again, though it could take a month or more.