Bluebell lays an egg

I felt for the last few days that Bluebell was getting ready to lay an egg. This morning I went into the chickens just before the coop door opened. It opened soon after half past seven and I proceeded to clean out the coop. I glanced up at the nest box and a pale egg stood out. Bluebell must have laid her egg early because it was already cold to the touch. I took a photo but retreated quickly with it as she was very interested in it, I wonder if she laid it in the dark and wanted a proper look at it.

Bluebell’s first egg in the nest box

It was small but perfect and I felt so proud of Bluebell but it’s also tinged with sadness as I dread tasting it after our recent problems with Treacle’s eggs.

Bluebell’s first egg

I poached it and tasted it on it’s own and it had the same mouldy, woody, taste that Treacle’s eggs have. It also had the same hard shell and lovely bright yolk. A perfect egg in all but taste. At least this means it must be something they are eating and not something wrong with Treacle. They are now on a regime of pellets with only corn before bedtime and greens for treats but have only been on this since the weekend so maybe it needs more time.

I do feel really down about it though as more feedback from “Down the Lane” says other people have given daily meal worms and the same treats as me with no problem. Other people say stop all treats but the chickens wait with such excitement that it makes me feel mean not to treat. “Down the Lane” has been really supportive though and they are encouraging me to hang in there and that it will be worth it when it’s resolved.

I will keep tasting daily and hope for an improvement. I love these girls so much and feel proud of them because they are doing what they should be doing which makes it seem all the more unfair that we can’t eat their eggs.