Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[BullChick]

Yesterday I went out to find an egg missing from the broody. I finally found it, but all that was left was a partial shell. IDK if I had stepped on it or what. I have never known the birds to open an egg on their own. As for how it got out of the nest, it was probably an accident when others were jumping in and out of the broody nest. She is eating, and I figure at least someone is keeping the eggs warm.
Only 1/2 of the girls laid yesteday. Today a woman came, and wanted 5 dozen eggs (or more). I had 2 in the fridge, and had to put another dozen together. She will buy me out again on Saturday. Everyone wants eggs for their picnics! I sold 6 dozen last week, six yesterday. I was averaging a dozen laid/day. I hope that I get more than the 8 I did yesterday today!! I only have eggs for me because I keep the old eggs. They are about 3 weeks old. I don't eat many eggs. I just use them in my husband's weekly meals I send with him to work.
C'mon July, and my 4 Leghorns' eggs!!
So, should I buy eggs this week, or wait it out?

 

[kian]

I've kept my broody and the chicks with the general population from the very start, no issues so far. I have one sort of jerky chicken who will run over when one of the babies has a distress call, but the mama is always there first and pecks the jerky one. I have had that same one peck me HARD when I have rescued a baby and I usually just shove her way (shoving her chest, like a chest bump) and that always works.

My other Marans that has been inconsistant in sitting, but hasn't laid in awhile has decided to be Mama's full time helper. Mama apparently doesn't mind and last night I found this (this is not Mama's nest, but the helpers):



They stayed there all night!

 

[kian]

This made me think of Roger:

 

[cheeka]

kian, love the nannies pic... so sweet! and the wicked chickens sign is something OK needs for his coop decor!

I collected, but haven't counted... over a dozen anyway, we had such a storm, I've been so busy fixing...Everything... I got a text message at 6:30 am asking if I could work a second route and I said yes before I knew the disaster waiting for me outside. me and my big helpful mouth... the dome and portable run were fine, wet and soggy, but fine, the roosters pen was partially collapsed because the tarp sagged and pulled the ropes holding it up way out of whack, it bent the frames... but everyone was alive and kicking...I poked drain holes in the tarp and left for work with my fingers crossed.... it poured really hard almost all day. it was a bigger mess when I got home but they were okay, not trapped under the sagging tarp...so I removed the tarp, which was a right pain by myself, and straightened the frames out. I have to come up with a different roof. bbl...........

 

[cheeka]

nothing from under Peach yet... today is day 21

 

[okallthis4eggs]

nothing from under Peach yet... today is day 21

 

[Sallysec]

kian, love the nannies pic... so sweet!  and the wicked chickens sign is something OK needs for his coop decor!

I collected, but haven't counted... over a dozen anyway, we had such a storm, I've been so busy fixing...Everything... I got a text message at 6:30 am asking if I could work a second route and I said yes before I knew the disaster waiting for me outside.  me and my big helpful mouth... the dome and portable run were fine, wet and soggy, but fine, the roosters pen was partially collapsed because the tarp sagged and pulled the ropes holding it up way out of whack, it bent the frames... but everyone was alive and kicking...I poked drain holes in the tarp and left for work with my fingers crossed.... it poured really hard almost all day.  it was a bigger mess when I got home but they were okay, not trapped under the sagging tarp...so I removed the tarp, which was a right pain by myself, and straightened the frames out.  I have to come up with a different roof.  bbl...........

Sorry to hear

 

[okallthis4eggs]

I tore down the jail. Opened the doors. One big family now. Crossing my fingers hoping I will still have chicks alive when I get home. Both broodys had them outside in the run when I left for work. Update this evening. Where is W4W ? Been missing her.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

I'm still here!

Been keeping up with reading, just very busy and there's not much new around here except dry weeds and fox tails... in Scooter's ears, that took a massive chunk out of the monthly (yearly) budget. No more small fluffy dogs for me. Head has to be above seed level!

My broody is still glued to her empty nest and is getting skinny and making me worried. I have to somehow convince her there is more to life.

Went out the other night to lock up, and my Welsummer was outside the coop on the chicken jungle gym (a pallet with legs) in the run. She was standing still and all puffed up and I thought she had some dreadful disease. Crouched down to talk with her and see if she would let me touch her. Nope. Puffed up more and turned away but very slowly and went back to being still. Looked her over as best I could and at the last minute discovered the problem. Just in time, stuck my hand out and caught the egg she was trying to lay before it splatted on the ground! Warm wet egg

but it can't get much cleaner than that!

OK, I hope the chick integration goes well. Roger might just need to assert a little dominance before she accepts the others. As long as she's not too violent. Having access to more space may help alleviate some stress, and extra food stations might decrease any territory disputes.

Cheeka, can't wait to see more chickie pics. Gooooo Peach! Sorry about the rain damage, but I'm really a bit envious. A drought year was officially declared for us. Gonna be a smokey summer.

Sally, your daughter is darling. She must love the little chicks!

MC, more customers than eggs! Cool! How much did you end up charging? Supply and demand seems to indicate you could charge a little more.

Oh, I read this interesting thing about washing eggs. It said to use water warmer than the egg temp, otherwise bacteria is drawn inside the egg through the shell pores. I didn't know that and have been washing with cold water for the occasional dirty egg. No problems either way so far.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hi guys! Been super busy lately trying to get pens more secure. Just hopped on to say

I have been reading everything just terribly busy. We open our camper this weekend (its our anniversary)
So this is a "not missing this weekend" thing!