josephine77 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Hi All, I'm looking for a bit of reassurance - I've had Aggie and Winnie for about 3 weeks now, Winnie is showing all the signs of being ready to lay (red comb, crouching etc). Tonight when I emptied the droppings tray there was an egg in the bottom, with a perfect yolk and white, but not inside its shell. The shell was paper thin and next to it. I have read about hens laying "softies" but Winnie does not appear to have been ill or anything - is this a normal for a first attempt at an egg, or do I need to feed more calcium? They have been eating the Omlet layers pellets since day one, with a few hours free ranging in the afternoon. Help! Worried mum, Jo xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 it's completely normal for hens starting to lay, so nothing to worry about - they are just cranking up to laying proper eggs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 My first two eggs were exactly as you described in the tray. My 2 eggs since have been perfect (but small) in the nesting box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 thank you both so muc h, I feel much better now! This forum is great isn't it? Looking forward to getting proper eggs soon - I really begrudge buying them now! Jo xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 one of mine has laid 3 in a row, all very small about 36g, todays one was in the nest box though so I think she is getting the hang of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 the waiting is tough, isn't it? My Ruby laid a softie when she first started laying and then nothing for nearly 2 weeks! and Custard had worms and then laid 2 softies as she recovered followed by nothing for a couple of days...but now they lay beauties every day - it will happen and it's worth the wait when it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Thanks all - the first egg arrived today, and very perfect it is too. Well worth the wait!! J xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Well done Winnie but naughty girl for worrying Mum so much. Some limestone flour in their feed might be helpful during their early days to give them extra calcium for making good shells so it isn't leeched from their bones instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Wot did it weigh, wot did it weigh???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 Hello! It was 46g - I took a photo, but haven't quite worked out how to post yet ...funny thing is, I haven't been able to bring myself to crack it yet, seems such a shame....maybe I'll have a boiled egg for brekkie tomorrow!! J xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Ha! I know the feeling, we've had no egg today But our first 3 were only 36g.... my OH had our first one fried for breakie on sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 It's great isn't it - I always said my chooks would be just pets and the eggs were not important....but I am still thrilled. When I found the egg, I found myself saying "Well done Winnie! Well Done!" the neighbours must think I'm completely mad! Hope you get another egg tomorrow - I bet it takes them a while to get into the swing of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I bet it takes them a while to get into the swing of things. Yes it does. You may go a few days without an egg, or maybe even get a few more softies ...... all ok when they are getting started. Hope your first egg tasted good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hello all, Sorry to ask further silly questions, but since laying her first egg yesterday, Winne has not been her usual self - although she's eating, she's spending a lot of time just standing around looking sorry for herself. I noticed yesterday her poos were clear and white. Is this normal do you think? has she worn herself out with her first egg, or do you think there is another softie on the way? I can't believe how attached I've become to my chooks, and I hate to see her all mopey. Thanks, Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Josephine if she's eating and drinking just keep an eye on her. It could very well be another softie on the way. They can look hunched and under the weather until it has been laid. But if not this, keeping a close eye on her will give you other clues as to what it might be. Take a look at this. http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4720 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Thanks HenWatch, latest report from OH at HQ is that she's scratching around in the run and looking for bugs, so I'm guessing she's not feeling too bad - I will check up on her when I get home though as mums always know best With any luck there'll be an agg waiting for me when I get home - hopefully complete with shell! Jo x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
