So many questions, but just this for now...

[Michelle2519]

This is my 2nd post on here, but I come here for info often since we got our 6 chickens back in April of this year. We hade to re-home one of them because "she" turned out to be a "he" (we found that out VERY early one morning a few months ago!). Anyway, we found our first eggs today, 4 of them, and I want to be sure I'm handling them correctly. I didn't wash them, just put them straight in the fridge (all of our eggs will be for eating). Hopefully, that's ok. Insight would be greatly appreciated.

I have a couple of questions about behaviors. Our girls roam the yard all day and usually head to their coop around dusk when we lock it up for the night since we live near a creek and get a lot of nighttime visitor in our yard. They always seem excited to see the kids and I as they come running to us when we go out back, but only one of them will let us hold them. They do try and peck at our feet, hands, legs, etc... while making what sounds like an irritated sound, but I could be wrong. Is this aggressive or territorial behavior or are we part of their little flock? So confused as to whether they see us as friends or enemies.


Maisey


Taylor Swift


Hangin' in the coop back in May

 

[QueenMisha]

You actually don't even need to refrigerate them. They will stay perfectly good on the counter for about 3 weeks, as long as they are unwashed.

Is the noise a kind of BROOOAAAKK, BROOAAK BROAK, BROOOOAAAAAK? Raspy and loud? That's normal. They're saying hello.

As far as they are concerned, you entering the pen = possibility of treats. They look at you and see a giant basket of goodies, regardless of whether you actually have one or not. That's why they come running. Many people actually train their flocks to come when called, by using a certain phrase or sound when feeding treats.

 

[GitaBooks]

I certainly have loved being on here, everyone has been very nice to me.

I almost never wash my eggs, even when they are very dirty. This would bother most people, and does bother my family some (

) but we have never gotten sick. However, it is really personal opinion. You certainly don't want to get samonalla.

Pecking can be curiosity, aggression, or asking to be fed or held. They probably don't see you as enemies, but perhaps a lower member of the flock. There are ways to teach them not to, though.

Best of luck!

 

[Michelle2519]

Thanks for the responses. That is the exact sound that they make!

 

[ChickyMama1220]

If u do wash make sure it is with warm water. Room temp or touch warmer makes the egg expand so it doesnt allow the pores to suck in the dirt and bacteria. Cold water makes the egg contract causing it to take in dirt and germs.. Dont soak them and u can use something like a specified toothbrush for shell cleaning but if you do wash it takes off some kind of coating on the egg (antimicrobial?) And u must refridgerate them after washing. If not u dont have to refridgerate them and are good out for a month to 2mo. Store eggs have 5wks to get them sent to the factory for shipping then up to 2wks there then stores then another 5 wks in store before their expiration date!