When to pick eggs out of nest box.

[monsterkx500]

How long can the eggs stay in the nest box before you pick them? Can they stay in the box for couple of hour?

 

[kuntrygirl]

Yes, they can stay in there a couple of hours. My hens start laying at 6:00 AM but I don't pick them until about 6:00 PM when I get back from work. Your eggs will be fine for the day.

 

[monsterkx500]

ok Thank you

 

[Fred's Hens]

Most only gather once, in the afternoon. Winter? Twice a day for me.

 

[teach1rusl]

I've left mine in the nest box for a few days before (I only have a few hens) - no problems

I normally collect late afternoon though. If you get really cold winters, as Fred said - the more often you collect, the less chance you have of eggs freezing/cracking.

 

[sourland]

Fred's Hens :

Most only gather once, in the afternoon. Winter? Twice a day for me.

X 2​

 

[MommyMagpie]

We have to go out to the coop and check whenever we suspect someone has laid; we have an egg-eater and if we don't get them before she finds them we end up with "Sunday-go-to-meeting" eggs - they are holey, from her pecking them. She's going to freezer camp soon so hopefully that will change.

 

[nanawendy]

I will pick them up more often when I have a lady wanting to go broody. But really it's 'cause I love the excitement of getting eggs.

 

[lindseythefork]

Couple of hours? How many chickens do you have? I only have five, so I would have to either get them to all lay at the same time or just have really good timing to collect every few hours.

I try to go out there once a day or every other day. Sometimes we forget and there's a pretty good pile going.

 

[Ma Noob]

now they are back on the lay im usually out every arvo. when they were off it was every couple of days. If we are away i just get them when i get back. I just float them to check they are ok.

Winter is quite mild here so they are ok outside, but our summers get to 45c+ so im out every day then or they will cook!