*L* They DO set up a row when they lay, don't they? After all, eggs MUST BE PROPERLY WORSHIPPED. Usually hens will lay an egg every other day, but young hens just coming into lay can be sporadic at first until their egg laying apparatus gets the kinks out. She also may pop out an egg tomorrow, it's not uncommon. Expect anything. :) You can encourage the use of the nest boxes by making them as irresistable as possible. Nice deep straw, darkness, a sense of being well-hidden and protected, and privacy are all 'must-have's' for hens. Make other areas too open and exposed. I have a curtain of black landscape cloth over the openings of my nests, with a split up the middle. This gives them a nice, private, dark hidey-hole but the landscape cloth allows air to circulate so it's not too hot in there. Congrats on the egg! :) Wait untill the OTHER girls join in on the Egg Song next time, you'll think the world is ending with all that noise. *L* Velvet ~:>

Thanks Sandra, I also went out the next day and there are 5 eggs. They should hatch around Sunday May 2nd, I do feed them dried meal worms but since the weather has been nice they're feeding more in the yard now.....the Robins tend to chase them off. I thought I'd put live mealies out several days before they hatch to make sure the babies are getting enough food. I'll try to get a photo of my wren guard soon.

Hi Donna and Congrats on both your 1st-nesters staying and your 2nd nest underway! That's a real sweet photo. :) Our 3rd-nesters should fledge this week-end and we do have fledglings from both previous nests helping to feed them in the box. It's a real treat! If anyone would like to see this, we have posted a video of the whole family feeding the nestlings (see link below) Here is a link that might be useful: Family Feeding Nestlings - Video

Sam...it just gets worse...lol A few weeks ago...maybe 2 1/2 months...I don't remember... I may have posted about it.. I dropped something on the floor while sitting in my computer chair. I tried to bend over in the chair and pick it up....the chair didn't like it and bucked me out... I fell on my butt then the chair flipped over and hit me on the head... I thought it was funny at the time....you know..Funniest home video stuff. But later my right hip started aching when I'd sit in my computer chair for very long. Then about 3 - 4 weeks ago I lean forward in that chair and something popped..Now I ache and hurt there all the time. I keep putting off going to the doc. Maybe come Monday I'll call. (everytime I make up my mind to go it feels better for a few days) I'm wondering if I broke something or cracked it.(no jokes about my butt being cracked ...lol) and then the fall at the wrestling match the other night added to some hurts.. I want to go back to my 40s or 50s Sorry you are hurting...it just isn't fun patti