4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[sallyj]

This is my first winter with the girls and I rushed home from work today to collect their eggs before they went to bed. What do others do who get home when it is dark about collecting eggs, especially as mine are now sleeping in the nest box

[Pikey]

Mine also sleep in the nest box .....if they haven't laid before I leave for work I just collect any in the morning although they can be a bit mucky

[Janty]

I just budge mine over into the roosting area when I get home and collect the eggs as soon as I get home.

 

They don't seem to mind too much.

 

[Plum]

Same here, I work so last year just fished them out when I got home.

[Lewis]

I collect ours from the big 'uns at night when we shut the door

... the chicks aren't laying yet though so hopeing they won't sleep in the nestbox!

[Suzy]

We have a nestbox sleeper too and she is as good as gold if you reach underneath her to get any eggs. Well, she's like that with OH, and screams blue murder if I do it.

 

I have even stood and watched to see if he was winding me up but it's true. And I am primary feeder/ grape giver/ meal worm issuer.

 

[Barkisland]

I had to miss collecting mine this evening as it went dark about 3pm here today, and the weather has been foul! A nuisance, but I wasn't traipsing down the field in that ...

Fortunately they aren't laying too many since the days got shorter, so there will probably only be 2 or 3 eggs. Hopefully they won't break them of muck them up too much before morning.

[keyhole kate]

I just stick my hand under big fat Brahma and permenantly broody Martha May Whovier

and take them she never bats an eyelid

[Laura & CTB]

I take any eggs out from underneath Cartier who sleeps in the nesy box - I always apologise though!

[sallyj]

Thanks for all your advice. Everyone is so helpful here .

[JanTheDiver]

I do the same as the others, put my hands under which ever girls are in there at the time. If they mind they just walk into the roost, but they soon settle down again.

 

Last night I couldn't get to them as Tikka was sitting on all three eggs and not budging, she was still there this morning and didn't come out with the rest. So I just picked her up and put her in the roost, she sat for a couple of mins then went out for some food.

 

I think she was just comfortable, but didn't want to leave her on the eggs in case she went boody on me

[The Dogmother]

I collect the eggs, pop any sleeping hens back through to the roosting bars and fit the tub trug into the hole between the two sections.

[Gelbel]

I've been out and about every day so far this week and not getting home 'til after dark. I have been waiting 'til the morning when the girls get up as I do not fancy rummaging under my girls and finding a dollop of poo.

 

Sorry - bit graphic but the eggs are not really any more messy.

 

And today the DH got home before dark and found 2. First time ever!

 

But when I looked at them I know they are both from Grace - one late from yesterday and one from today (I could not get out this morning to check them as I was out at 6am ). I cannot see her laying 2 in a day - not after not laying for a month.

 

As an aside - so glad Grace is laying again as she stopped at the beginning of October and immediately we had the bullying problem so had to fit a bumper bar when we were on holiday.

 

So 2 down - 1 to go.