Elated!!!!

[Poddington Pea]

I can not tell you how happy I am. The feeling is akin to when my son was born.
Our hens laid for the first time since we got them over 2 weeks ago!!! We have 2 eggs!!!!
My friend and I had been discussing chicken recipes within ear shot of the daft creatures today and just 3 hours later we had our first eggs. There's alot to be said for empty threats.

Our hens are ex-commercial free-rangers and I was beggining to think I'd got the flock elders rather than the yearlings!

[Nicos]

Have you checked that white one's not a double yolker????...If it is- nip out and get a lottery ticket!!!!

First eggs...aww- it IS fantastic isn't it??? ( bet you're still grinning eh???)

[Glutton4...]

You must be thrilled!

(Is that why you posted twice!? )

[VirginVegGrower]

Congratulations - our Madeline has given us two eggs in 24 hours too. It is like motherhood all over again I agree. The anticipation of getting ready for them, then bringing them home, worrying over feed and getting them settled. Then there's all the photo taking.
I bet we are boring all the more egg-sperienced hensters - I am sorry if I am, but it is rather intoxicating, keeping hens - I feel quite giddy!

[Nicos]

bored???...nope- not in the least!!!

My second Marans 'chick' started laying about 3 weeks ago- everyday I checked for that new ,dark brown egg ( soooo exciting!!!!!)

[Poddington Pea]

The second post was an accident! My phone does as it likes sometimes!
I can't wait to get up tomorrow and look for more eggs!
Fingers crossed......

[Glutton4...]

The second post was an accident! My phone does as it likes sometimes!
I can't wait to get up tomorrow and look for more eggs!
Fingers crossed......

I've been keeping Chooks for over two years now, and I still get eggcited (sorry, had to do it!) every time I find an egg - and I currently have over twenty layers...

[VirginVegGrower]

bored???...nope- not in the least!!!

My second Marans 'chick' started laying about 3 weeks ago- everyday I checked for that new ,dark brown egg ( soooo exciting!!!!!)

Well I don't mind admitting I am new to all this and it must come across as a bit dippy - but thanks for being kind to a newbie
Hope I get another egg tomorrow - it's like Christmas every day. My daughter came running in - her face shining with delight. I can see why schools like keeping hens for children.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've been keeping Chooks for over two years now, and I still get eggcited (sorry, had to do it!) every time I find an egg - and I currently have over twenty layers...

There's nothing quite like getting a yolk or two in. Eggstra points to you!

[Poddington Pea]

Oh dear! I've heard alot of those joks lately!

When I found the eggs I literaly jumped for joy! My one year old applauded and is soooo excited about the eggs. He keeps cheering and clapping whenever we mention eggs or hens!

[Nicos]

it must come across as a bit dippy

dippy???

[VirginVegGrower]

dippy???

Ooh yesssss!
We had our two as pancake ingredients tonight with the two kids fighting over who was going to crack them. The taste was sublime, courtesy of Madeline!

[Flummery]

Your own hens' eggs are just the best aren't they? We're waiting for the first from our new girls. I think it might be another couple of weeks though.

[chris]

I still cannot beleive the difference in quality, and taste of your own eggs? How are they SO different from free range/organic eggs? My egg yolks are so thick, and deep in colour (though they do eat grass and other greens every day of their own accord), the white part are almost translucent, bordering on being cream and stick together - hard to beat them up sometimes, without finding a big gloop of white in my omelete

I still find my eggs harder to crack than shop bought ones. My egg shells are definately thicker, and the membrane is tougher too. Still, it's a tiny tiny tiny inconvience (just means I have to sometimes put the knife tip in the membrane to break it?) for such amazing produce & the character they bring to the garden I used to crack eggs on my work top (flat surface) as to not push the shell into the egg.. now if a bit dirty I'll rinse under the tap quickly before cracking with a sharp knife.

[VirginVegGrower]

I still cannot beleive the difference in quality, and taste of your own eggs? How are they SO different from free range/organic eggs? My egg yolks are so thick, and deep in colour (though they do eat grass and other greens every day of their own accord), the white part are almost translucent, bordering on being cream and stick together - hard to beat them up sometimes, without finding a big gloop of white in my omelete

I still find my eggs harder to crack than shop bought ones. My egg shells are definately thicker, and the membrane is tougher too. Still, it's a tiny tiny tiny inconvience (just means I have to sometimes put the knife tip in the membrane to break it?) for such amazing produce & the character they bring to the garden I used to crack eggs on my work top (flat surface) as to not push the shell into the egg.. now if a bit dirty I'll rinse under the tap quickly before cracking with a sharp knife.

I have always bought organic, until now thinking they were the best. But Madders has just given me another one today - she makes a frightful noise whilst laying it. Eating it right now with some toast and I agree the taste cannot be beaten. Her egg shells are thicker too - have no idea why. Was still warm when I picked it up.
Does anyone else, wash, cook and crush the shells for the hens to have in their food. I do give grit with oyster shell but thought I could allow some free range and give their shell. Good idea or bad?