What should I expect/ be aware of....

[Nommie Bringer-Uvda-Noms]

as my girls begin laying? Will they start acting funny? How do I know what is normal, vs what's not? Are the first eggs ok to eat (I'm married to a retired chef, we never open an egg directly into a recipe or pan, lol)? Or should we wait a bit, before we even try? This is the kind of stuff I don't remember, from when I was a teenager - because this was my step mom's domain, so I didn't learn it...

 

[Criticalicious]

Acting funny - yes, they will start checking out the nest boxes and squatting when you walk up to them. The first eggs are usually OK to eat unless they have really soft shells and then use your judgment. Some weird eggs are normal as their system works out the kinks in production. For example, I have a new layer going through this right now. One morning under the roosts I found 2 little soft shell eggs and a pile of what looked like liquid egg shell. Her first egg was normal inside but odd shaped shell and her second egg was bullet-shaped with two small yolks. Anything is possible.

 

[Criticalicious]

You'll know they're getting close to POL (Point of Lay) because the comb and waddles will double in size and turn brighter red in color.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As new layers get close
I've always eaten my first eggs, no issues.

 

[rosemarythyme]

As new layers get close to POL, you'll see combs redden and plump up, and they may start squatting for you when you approach them. They may go into nest boxes and start exploring them, kicking bedding and fake eggs around.

I've always eaten first eggs without an issue. Obviously if you see any issues with it (cracked shell, soft shell) I'd probably not risk it.

 

[Nommie Bringer-Uvda-Noms]

Acting funny - yes, they will start checking out the nest boxes and squatting when you walk up to them. The first eggs are usually OK to eat unless they have really soft shells and then use your judgment. Some weird eggs are normal as their system works out the kinks in production. For example, I have a new layer going through this right now. One morning under the roosts I found 2 little soft shell eggs and a pile of what looked like liquid egg shell. Her first egg was normal inside but odd shaped shell and her second egg was bullet-shaped with two small yolks. Anything is possible.

Thank you! I think they pretty much always act funny, lol - so should have said 'weirder/ funnier'! Really? Bullet shaped??? That really is weird!

 

[Nommie Bringer-Uvda-Noms]

As new layers get close to POL, you'll see combs redden and plump up, and they may start squatting for you when you approach them. They may go into nest boxes and start exploring them, kicking bedding and fake eggs around.

I've always eaten first eggs without an issue. Obviously if you see any issues with it (cracked shell, soft shell) I'd probably not risk it.

Yeh, cracked shells, I'll definitely pass on, but honestly, I hadn't even thought about shells being actually soft. Thin, yes - but soft hadn't crossed my mind. Thank you! Squatting.... hmmmm...