How old is an egg?

[SteevK]

Hello world

I picked up my 4 new girls on Saturday, ex batts, and you are all right of course, they are brilliant. They are still laying for the moment with eggs that were obviously ‘in the (battery) system’, but the question came up: How many days of freedom will a hen need for her egg to be truly free ranged?

[Suechooks]

I usually reckon about a week to 10 days based on nothing in particular! Sometimes the early ones have tasted slightly "fishy" so I've always scrambled their eggs for the first week and fed them back.

[Glutton4...]

I'm sure this has been discussed on the forum before. I'm an optimist on this subject, and count every egg they give me as free-range. Whichever way you look at it, it will be fresher than a bought one, so you're still on to a winner!

[chris]

Someone here, can't remember who once said to me that they describe those first 'battery' eggs when you get them as 'freedom eggs'

[RichmondHens]

I would say about 2 weeks. The Bluebell I recently took on has been laying pathetically pale eggs, they are slowly getting a better colour having wormed her and put her onto some good grass, she's been with us 9 days now. I've not been selling her eggs though as I don't yet consider them good enough but it won't be long.

[polo]

Hello world

I picked up my 4 new girls on Saturday, ex batts, and you are all right of course, they are brilliant. They are still laying for the moment with eggs that were obviously ‘in the (battery) system’, but the question came up: How many days of freedom will a hen need for her egg to be truly free ranged?

We has this discussion at home after picking up our girls on Saturday too. I'm with Glutton in that any laid now are freedom eggs but I also agree with SUe adn RH in that I think it takes a couple of weeks for their systems to clear out the old.

How are yours getting on? I have one with a lot of spirit, Bubbles - always trying to discover something new, she will be bother when fully fit. Poppy who is terribly pecked who will probably be the one to watch as she is a bit of a bully in the making and Ruby who is gentle and kind.

Still trying to teach them to go in a night with no success!

[Glutton4...]

Whassup Polo? My newies have always gone to bed by themselves after about 3 nights. Having said that, the next lot will show me up, won't they!?




(Yes, I did say next lot. Next Saturday... )

[polo]

we need pictures on Saturday then G4!!

I went out to lock them up just after that post last night and one had gone in just to prove me wrong!

The other two were trying to get in but are very wary of using the ramp - I helped them :-) I reckon they will have sussed it tonight.

Famous last words...

[SteevK]

Hi Polo
My girls aren’t doing too bad. They have all managed to get use to the ramp OK which I’m pleased about. I have had to build a ramp extension as the coop is on pallets so it is an extra 4” off the ground so the coop ramp/door hatch would be too short or too steep. I put a dummy egg in the nest boxes for the first couple of days and they have got the hang of where to lay now. My biggest problem at the moment is bullying. The little one, Scooterloo (my daughter named it. It’s a ‘My Little Pony’ thing) is being bullied big time by Duracell (no.1), Nora (no.2) and a little bit by Peggy. She’s a lovely little thing too, quite happy to come up and feed out of your hand. I’ve done all the usual stuff, give attention to the bullies, put loads of food and water every where, but she just seems to spend her day in the coop, if she is allowed to, or hiding under the nest box. It’s such a shame. I’ve only had them a week so I am hoping things will settle down. Has anyone had cause to use anti pecking spray? If this stuff tastes nasty to dissuade pecking, what about preening?

[Glutton4...]

SteevK, you can try spraying them all with a mild vinegar solution, so they all smell the same. That may help.

[polo]

Also try taking the bully out for a couple of hours if you can to give the bullied hen a break - is it really bad - is blood being drawn or is there just lots of noise?

My weakest girl is reluctant to do much - may take a bit of time for her to build her strength up but make sure she gets enough food. She may just be feeling overwhelmed with the changes or a little poorly. Keep an eye out and hopefully it will settle down

Also try a smear of vaseline on her comb if the others are going for that - it makes it difficult for the beak to get a good hold.