Who else is waiting for that first egg?

[Diney]

Chickens are silly sometimes aren't they. I haven't started oyster shells with mine yet. I didn't think they'd start laying until about 6mos, and they're only 4 1/2mos! 

Every time I think I have them figured out they throw something new at me. They are so fun tho. Still so exciting to go out every day and find eggs. Hope your first one comes soon.

 

[chickmomma03]

Quote: My first one already did yesterday! I wasn't expecting it. I had went and bought straw, cleaned the coop, and left a bin of straw in there without the lid. One of mine made a nest and laid an egg in it. I was a little shocked since they're only 4 1/2mos! I thought maybe it was my son's father pulling a prank, but the egg was too small, fresh, and warm for it to have been one from the fridge.

 

[Diney]

So 2 more soft shelled eggs in the coop this morning. Since I got one last night wasn't expecting 2 today. They were not in the nesting boxes either. These dang girls are stressing me out.

 

[chickmomma03]

Quote: Try not to let it stress you out. I have learned that my chickens are going to do what they "want" in the moment. When it comes to bad behaviors I don't let them, but otherwise I just laugh it off.

Maybe try a different style nesting spot and see if that chicken will lay in it.

 

[Diney]

Will try that and see what happens.. Thanks for keeping me calm.

 

[WVduckchick]

I don't think I ever got a soft shelled one in a nest box. I think those just kinda "pop" out of them, when they don't really expect them. Mine almost always use the nest boxes for good eggs though!

I also heard that different materials in the coop vs. the nest box helps them know to use the nest box too. I have straw in my coop, but pine shavings in the nest boxes.

Got my 3rd duck egg this morning. It was already cool to the touch by 6:30am, and I had checked around 11:00pm last night, so she must be laying in the middle of the night.

 

[Rudies Roost]

I don't think I ever got a soft shelled one in a nest box.  I think those just kinda "pop" out of them, when they don't really expect them.  Mine almost always use the nest boxes for good eggs though! 

I also heard that different materials in the coop vs. the nest box helps them know to use the nest box too.  I have straw in my coop, but pine shavings in the nest boxes.

Got my 3rd duck egg this morning.  It was already cool to the touch by 6:30am, and I had checked around 11:00pm last night, so she must be laying in the middle of the night.

I do it the other way round, shavings on coop floor and straw in the nest boxes, the boxes I use are cat litter trays! It seems to work for my flock. Any soft shelled eggs I have found are always on the coop floor or stuck fast to the perches (not nice to try & clean!) My ducks have always laid by around 5am, busy little bee's they are ;-)

 

[WVduckchick]

I do it the other way round, shavings on coop floor and straw in the nest boxes, the boxes I use are cat litter trays! It seems to work for my flock. Any soft shelled eggs I have found are always on the coop floor or stuck fast to the perches (not nice to try & clean!) My ducks have always laid by around 5am, busy little bee's they are ;-)

Excellent!

Thanks!

 

[chickmomma03]

Quote: Do they seem to like the pine more than the wheat straw? I thought about buying some but then didn't. I thought it wouldn't be as "comfortable" and "cushy" as wheat straw is!

Also, do you have to worry about bugs/ants more than with wheat straw? I'm in NC so I'm trying to find things that aren't going to attract bugs/creepy crawlies any more than they already are.

 

[lindalouly]

So 2 more soft shelled eggs in the coop this morning. Since I got one last night wasn't expecting 2 today. They were not in the nesting boxes either. These dang girls are stressing me out.

The girls know they aren't good eggs so they lay the soft eggs anywhere. They are fine, their bodies take a while to regulate. Just make sure they have oyster shell available