So exciting, I have an EGG!!

[Lainey-chick]

I have Leghorn, ISA Brown, and Barred Rock all about 15/16 weeks . One of the Leghorns has been exhibiting signs that she was going to lay soon. Her comb got big and red, she squatted when I put my hand over her, and she has been digging up the nesting boxes. I bought them oyster shell last week and they have been pecking it (including the rooster. Weird, but I have seen him eating it the most!) I also put some fake eggs/golf balls in each box.

Anyway, I expected this Leghorn to lay an egg any day now. This morning she was doing her dinosaur screetching a lot more than usual. And, then this afternoon, a little white egg was found in the run. I’m so excited!!!

Now I’m wondering, is there anything I can do to encourage her to use the boxes from now on? I really don’t want her laying eggs in the run or for that to encourage the others to do the same when they are ready to lay.

 

[sourland]

Congratulations. Do you have bedding in the nest boxes? Add some golf balls or fake nest eggs to the boxes.

 

[WIchickMama]

Awesome! First eggs are special

 

[Lainey-chick]

Congratulations. Do you have bedding in the nest boxes? Add some golf balls or fake nest eggs to the boxes.

Thank you!! Yes, I have all of the above. We have those nesting pads that have the paper liner underneath to absorb any moisture. I have five boxes, so put white golf balls in three and brown fake eggs in two.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Thats so cool! Congratulations! The first egg is always just so exciting.

What will you do with it? Some people suggest hollowing the first one out (from a tiny hole from the bottom)

 

[sourland]

If the nesting pads do not work, you may want to add grass hay and form a bowl shaped nest in the boxes.

 

[Lainey-chick]

Awesome! First eggs are special

Yes they are! I want to keep it.

 

[Lainey-chick]

Thats so cool! Congratulations! The first egg is always just so exciting.

What will you do with it? Some people suggest hollowing the first one out (from a tiny hole from the bottom)

Wow, maybe I’ll try that! I would like to keep it.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Yes they are! I want to keep it.

You should. I hollowed some of mine out, its very special. One ended up cracking and it still looked very cool because of how pearly the inside looked.
(My fault for the cracking. I dropped it, whoops.)

 

[Chicken poppy]

Wow, maybe I’ll try that! I would like to keep it.

You shouldn’t keep it non hollowed. Some explode, especially near very hot temps. It also may smell.