Finally! One of the new chickens started laying yesterday. I've been hoping for an egg from at least one of them for several weeks, because my chicken friend Noah's hens, who are the same age, have been laying for almost a month. My girls are maturing somewhat slowly, perhaps because I never gave them grower feed--just plain poultry mash. But they get lots of fruit and veggie treats, and time to free range for grass and bugs, so I'd say it's about time they grew up and started laying me some tasty eggs.
I believe this egg came from Rita, the Silver Laced Wyandotte. It's light brown and on the smallish side. Janice will probably lay large, dark brown eggs and Betty should lay blue or green eggs. Hopefully now that Rita is laying, the other two younger chickens will step up their game. As soon as they do, we should have plenty of fresh eggs for eating and sharing.
UPDATE: I eventually decided these eggs were from Janice, the Cuckoo Marans.
As I understand from what I read, beginning layers' eggs start out smallish and get bigger, depending on the eventual size that they would normally lay.
I say congratulations! That looks like a great egg. :)
That is the biggest "first" egg I have ever seen. We must get some Silver Laced Wyandottes!
That is a beautiful egg, lovely color.
One of the joys in raising layers is you get to see as well as eat the harvest of your efforts.
With all the current discussion about barn/back yard health and safety re: poultry and eggs, just wanted to post a reminder that there is a great resource for all those raising chickens and roosters.
There is some helpful information provided by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA.
Here's a video they made to raise awareness of poulty health and an announcement of a cute contest:
http://www.youtube.com/user/USDAAPHIS#p/a/u/2/Ida9TIG4Sis
All are invited to visit the video and submit to the contest~!
The Univ of Minn Extensions has a paper that says that it is better to delay the sexual maturity of pullets to permit better body growth before they begin laying. So consider it a good thing your girls have waited! See it here:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI1191.html