We have eggs!
Yup, it wasn't just a fluke!
Jack came bouncing in (he does that a lot), with another two eggs this morning. Both were perfect: classically egg-like, with speckles and everything. Even better, they weren't icky and warm, which was a relief.
We are using egg boxes we've squirrelled away over the last few months, so we now have four in our 1 dozen box. Yippee!
Talking to Aaron, however, on Google talk a little later, and he told me that, on his way out to get his bike, he'd looked in on our ladies, and there had been a third egg! Seemingly, by the time he passed them, the egg had been broken and was in the process of being mashed into the ground. So our 4 eggs could have been 5!
I've heard that this happens. Whether through carelessness or just plain naughtiness, I don't know, but eggs may well be destroyed by hens. Sigh. Hopefully this was a one-off, especially as it had been laid right next to the feeder! Surely they will learn to lay in the box at some point. The other four eggs had been laid in the coop, admittedly not in the nesting box, but also not right next to their breakfast either.
It looks like they chomped all of the egg up, so perhaps it is a necessary thing.
We have no idea yet which hen is laying which egg - something we will have to have a closer look at later on. For now, I am happy enough to let them get on with it privately, without upsetting them by having this ugly mug watching them doing their business. At least, if you include the broken egg today, we know all three ladies are laying!
So all in all, I am still floating on air with the success of the egg-laying. Perhaps they are feeling at home and content. It would be very nice to think so!
Tomorrow they will be allowed out to range about in the garden - I can't wait!
Jack came bouncing in (he does that a lot), with another two eggs this morning. Both were perfect: classically egg-like, with speckles and everything. Even better, they weren't icky and warm, which was a relief.
We are using egg boxes we've squirrelled away over the last few months, so we now have four in our 1 dozen box. Yippee!
Talking to Aaron, however, on Google talk a little later, and he told me that, on his way out to get his bike, he'd looked in on our ladies, and there had been a third egg! Seemingly, by the time he passed them, the egg had been broken and was in the process of being mashed into the ground. So our 4 eggs could have been 5!
I've heard that this happens. Whether through carelessness or just plain naughtiness, I don't know, but eggs may well be destroyed by hens. Sigh. Hopefully this was a one-off, especially as it had been laid right next to the feeder! Surely they will learn to lay in the box at some point. The other four eggs had been laid in the coop, admittedly not in the nesting box, but also not right next to their breakfast either.
It looks like they chomped all of the egg up, so perhaps it is a necessary thing.
We have no idea yet which hen is laying which egg - something we will have to have a closer look at later on. For now, I am happy enough to let them get on with it privately, without upsetting them by having this ugly mug watching them doing their business. At least, if you include the broken egg today, we know all three ladies are laying!
So all in all, I am still floating on air with the success of the egg-laying. Perhaps they are feeling at home and content. It would be very nice to think so!
Tomorrow they will be allowed out to range about in the garden - I can't wait!
posted by H | 02:46
1 Comments:
Helen, Just read your updates. I want to say this before I forget. Hens kept the way yours have been (in their last home) may have a calcium deficiency and also with them getting some actual excersise now they will be needing extra protein.
This can be one of the reasons they break eggs. Extra grit, egg shells, broccoli and dandelion leaves will help with the calcium and grain or veg like peas will add to their protiens. This egg breaking usually stops once their bodies have adjusted to being in decent living conditions and they've had chance to recover to better health. Good luck and it was nice to meet up with you btw. :)
Shelly
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