dogmad Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Question in the title really! Was just wondering when you collect your eggs, I'm just worried that if they lay after I have gone to work (about 9am) then it could be about 6pm before I check the eglu again - surely this gives them time to get crushed/pecked etc. So I was just wondering how people who work go on? Thanks Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I go to work at about 07:30 and get home anywhere between 16:30 and 22:30! The eggs are always there and are fine. I do hope they don't develop a taste for them though. If I get an egg eater I will have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 It depends on lots of factors; your working times and when they lay are just a couple. Leaving the eggs all day means that there's more of a chance of them being broken, or the hens going broody on them. But then it needs to fit in with your routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve. Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I'm in an out every 5 mins checking mine ... how can people wait all day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Steve, that wears off after a while... trust me! I used to be out checking every hour or so when my girls first arrived... now I am FAR more restrained!!! (still get quite excited when they lay an odd shaped one, or a particularly large one!) Debbie - I wouldn't worry unless you get an egg-eater, or your chooks are prone to going broody. 3-4 of my girls lay before I wake up, but the last 1-2 can leave it until mid-afternoon if they are feeling lazy! I always collect all my eggs together at the end of the day, usually about 6pm, when I get home from work. I have even left it 2 days before now - I remember going down and almost laying an egg myself when I found 10 eggs in the box!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 at the moment, most of mine have laid by 11am. but that changes (something to do with it taking up to 25 hours for the egg to develop?) so I do a mid-morning check, and if they've not all done the deed (only 3 layers at the mo) I check again mid-afternoon. this is because I work from home, and also because I have a sussex who goes broody at the drop of a hat. not had an egg-eater - so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 At the moment, as I am on holiday, I work in a school, as soon as one of the girls come out of the eglu I go out to see if there is an egg but when I am at work I check as soon as I get home. Beech Chick it is interesting that you say your Sussex goes broody at the drop of a hat, we have a Merrydale Sussex who spends most of her time being half broody, sitting on others eggs and making a real noise if you go near her but she does still lay most days. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 hi purplemaniacs - mine also does the thing of being (or appearing) broody, but as soon as we snap her out of it she lays straight away! yet I've read on here about chooks taking weeks to lay again after being broody... strange things, hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I work away from home most days, so sometimes the eggs are in the nest for 2 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I collect mine after work (Apart from Mabel's early morning offering) which is on average 5pm. Not quite sure how this is going to pan out in winter when it's dark when i get up and dark when i come home. One of my girls sleeps in the nest box and I'll feel so mean rifling through her knickers for the eggs when she's trying to get some kip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I'll feel so mean rifling through her knickers .......when she's trying to get some kip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 I'll feel so mean rifling through her knickers for the eggs when she's trying to get some kip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
