Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[shellie]

Hello, i'm new to keeping chickens. We became the proud owners of our chickens Shelly, Yoko (Miss Pepperpots) and Layla (Gingernut ranger) just 10 days ago. The Omlet man told us they were approx. 16 weeks old. We expected Yoko to lay first as her comb was the reddest.

This morning Shelly did not seem her normal self and was going in and out the eglu and looked like she was guarding it? We wasn't sure if she was just trying to have a dust bath in the cozy coop as she was kicking it all around (in the nesting box) or getting ready to lay. My mum and I were out for a few hours, we checked as soon as we got back and found half an egg shell just outside the eglu and when we looked inside there was an egg in the nesting box! We are sure this was from shelly as she was in the eglu alot.

What we found strange is that her comb is not bright red. It is quite bright and quite firm but slighty on one side. Is this normal for a chicken at there point of lay?

 

Thanks, Shellie

P.S: Dad was at home when we were out and he promised he didn't trick us! He's got a broken ankle anyway so it is difficult for him to get down the steps so it is unlikely! Also we checked all our shop-bought eggs and they have a red stamp on so it couldn't be one of them and this one is so much smaller!

[chicken bark]

Hi Shellie.

 

It is very exciting getting your first egg.

 

Red comb, crouching etc are just indicators that they maysoon lay - yours may not be exhibiting that so much but I shouldn't worry. Some of mine have laid when they have had hardly any comb at all.

 

Also don't be surprised if you don't see another one for a few days. It takes them a while to get the egg making bit working correctly. A new environment, new food etc can also put them off their stride.

 

Enjoy those lovely eggs.

[shellie]

Thanks for the reply, I was beginning to worry about her! I was also beginning to worry about my Gingernut hardly having any comb at all but i think shes younger than the others. I'm checking tomorrow morning for an egg because apparently during winter they sometimes lay overnight? I'll keep you posted!

 

Thanks again, shellie

[shellie]

Shelly has just layed. We let the others out into their inclosure and Shelly stayed in the eglu and kept coming in and out. When she next went in we closed the eglu door behind her and then let the others back into the run after. After about 15 mins we opened the eglu door and Yoko went in to check up on Shelly. Shelly then came out anhd there was an egg!

It seemed like shelly wanted some privacy so should we do this often or just let "nature take its course"?

 

Thanks, Shellie

[chicken bark]

I wouldn't worry about shutting the others out. If she needs to lay she will lay.

 

Getting eggs is exciting no matter how long you've had hens.

[green]

Congrats for the first egg!

 

Fab chook names!