If at First You Don’t Succeed

October 11, 2011

Fifi is at the bottom of the pecking order.  It is not such a bad thing in our flock. Some chickens in other flocks are terrorized in that position.  Not in ours, Fifi is left alone for the most part until she needs to lay an egg.  I am not sure if it is due to her rank in the pecking order or just plain confusion as she is learning to lay eggs, but every other day or so, she lays an egg in one of the large dusting holes.  She seems to think that is a nest.

I have added fake wooden decoy eggs in the nesting boxes to try and lure her into laying in the coop.  I have also tried to feed the others snacks more frequently, so she can get into the nesting boxes when the bigger girls are distracted.  Nothing has worked.  Over the past two weeks, I have scooped out 10 eggs.  Yesterday, I had accepted that I would be scooping her delicate tiny eggs from the bathing bowls as they were laid.  At least everyone else was laying in the nesting boxes.

This afternoon, I went to check for eggs and found, Feathers in the nesting box.  Usually, she lets out a growl as I pet her captive body in the box waiting for the egg to arrive.  Strangely today, she did not growl.  She was quiet and let me pet her.  This could only mean one thing.  I was petting Fifi, not Feathers.  Fifi was in the nesting box laying her egg!  I quickly ran into the garage and distracted the others with dried meal worms.

Fifteen minutes later I returned.  Inside the nesting box, was the tiny cream colored egg laid by Fifi.

Photo Credit:  Tilly’s Nest

Melissa

Author/Blogger/Freelancer-Sharing adventures with backyard chickens, beekeeping, gardening, crafting, cooking and more.

RELATED POSTS

WRITE A COMMENT

4 thoughts on “If at First You Don’t Succeed”

  1. Awe, so sweet! I've been catching up on your posts! Today I fed our girls recyled eggs shells! I love your Tilly's Neckless… just wonderful and your holiday cards will be adorable if they are anything like the one you featured! Looks like you are keeping the creative juices going! LOVE IT! Yes, we are over do for a visit!!!
    hugs,
    Deb

    Reply
  2. Hi Kim!
    Yes you should refrigerate eggs promptly to ensure that they are safe to eat. However, that being said…

    Some say that you can leave eggs out for 10 days! Freshly laid eggs are coated in an antibacterial "bloom". When hens are ready to have baby chicks, they lay a clutch, which amounts to approximately 1 egg per day for 8-12 days. During this time, she will not sit on them. She will wait until they all collect and then begin sitting so that they chicks all hatch within a day of each other. It is assumed that if those eggs can stay out in the air, be as old as 12 days and still hatch out chicks, they should be fine to eat. Rotten eggs are not viable. Keeping eggs you plan to eat out is NOT recommended, but more of an interesting tibit.

    Long answer to a short question! Thanks for asking 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Comment

About me

Sharing an inspired life from the New England seaside. Chickens, Bees, Gardens, Art and Yummy Goodness.