Alright girls, time to get to work!

18 weeks ago my cute little day-old chicks arrived in the mail. Yes, they came in the mail. Crazy, I know. From what I've read and what the teacher said in chicken class, pullets (young hens) generally start laying eggs between 18-20 weeks of age.

Just minutes after they arrived in their box

They are 18 weeks old now. Egg watch has officially begun. I know that some chickens don't lay eggs until they are 6-7 months old and hot weather can delay the process but I'm pretty sure I can't wait that long. I even went out and bought a darling pair of egg cups so I can photograph those beauties to share with you all when they get here. I will be one proud chicken mama!

A few weeks old and showing off their new tail feathers

We chose our hens by the colors of the eggs they lay and by temperament. Flo and Ramona will lay brown eggs and Lucy and Effie will lay green or blue eggs (hopefully!). Imagine how cute those eggs will be perched in my new egg cups.

Flo (isn't she gorgeous?) and Ramona

Each morning this week, the boys and I have woken up and gone on an egg hunt. The girls have nesting boxes in their coop and I am hoping they will be comfortable enough to lay there regularly.  I even have fake plastic eggs in each box so the girls will get a clue on where to do it. Sounds silly but my chicken teacher recommended it - and she rules. They do free range most of the day so there is a strong possibility that they will choose to lay around the yard.

I'm a bit obsessed over this whole egg laying deal and I really hope I'm not giving the girls any performance anxiety. Honestly, I can't help it.  For now, I'll continue my egg hunts with the boys and I promise you'll be the first (well probably the second or third) to know when we've got one!

Busted. They no longer have access to the veggie garden.