We have eggs!

This summer we lost most of our chickens and we replaced the flock about the first part of August. An unusual time of year to be starting. We talked with some people who raise chickens in this area and they suggested it would be spring before we would get eggs from the new chickens. The daylight is one of the triggers for the maturity.

Well, the other day we went out to check on their nesting boxes. Low and behold, there were three eggs in two different boxes. The next day we collected 6 eggs and another 6 the next day. Molli loved the first egg. It's been cold so even if the egg was not layed the first day, it was okay for her to eat. Usually they don't lay for five to six months. There is also a light requirement. It appears they need about 14 hours to start. We have 1 small light in the hen house, so that must be enough extra light to cause them to start laying. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ps/ps02900.pdf

We found that we had a chicken or two who were growing bigger than others, but not developing the back claw. These were supposed to have been selected for all layers (no roosters) but the company threw in a free chick. We thought it was the exotic species we had gotten. (she didn't make it as a chicken, but rather was probably a coyote or hawk meal instead). The cock-a-doodle-do of the morning suggested two or more voices. Sure enough, Phil saw one of the big ones crowing and ...let's say mounting another.

Difference between Chickens and Roosters: http://www.ehow.com/video_2349783_the-difference-between-hens-roosters.html We don't see the back spur yet, but apparently

Notes about chickens:

All chickens lay eggs in a series - never more than one per day. If the eggs are not collected, and a sufficient number of eggs are allowed to remain in the nest, the hen may stop laying eggs and start brooding. When the hen leaves the nest after laying an egg, it cools which suspends the development of the embryo inside. If the ambient temperature remains between 45F and 65F, the embryos will remain viable for as long as two weeks. When the hen becomes broody and sits on her eggs for three weeks, all of the eggs will hatch at about the same time. This is why it is important for the hen to leave the nest after laying.

Also, some info on Egg laying if you are interested: http://www.afn.org/~poultry/egghen.htm

The first group of eggs will be used for the Pies we are making for Christmas Dinner for the meals we will be delivering for shut ins! Can't think of a better use.