Our sixth chicken, a late replacement for a rooster, finally laid her first egg today. I had given up hope, and she was destined for the pot. The other hens picked on her a lot, and I believe she wasn't getting enough food. Her comb wasn't growing, and I thought this was an indicator of when she'd be ready to lay. I separated her a few weeks back to ensure that she got enough food. Her comb grew a little more, but not to full size. Well, yesterday she presented us with a huge egg, her first. All the others gave small eggs at first. Is this big first one normal? She laid another one today, and it's a lovely sight to see.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), November 05, 2001

Answers

You will either get abnormally large eggs or small one from new layers. Once thier body has adjusted, the size of the eggs, will, too. New layers are the ones you normally get the double yolks from. Congratulations.

-- Wendy A (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), November 05, 2001.