mhegge
Songster
- Sep 2, 2015
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But she laid it on the coop floor, lol. My boxes are open and have had golf balls in them. Anything else I can do?
First egg!! Now to get them in the boxes...
- Thread starter mhegge
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But she laid it on the coop floor, lol. My boxes are open and have had golf balls in them. Anything else I can do?
Congratulations on your first egg!
If you already have golfballs in the nesting box then there isn't a huge amount else you can do. I have had many first eggs that weren't in the nesting boxes, the hens seem to learn where to lay by themselves. Especially if there are other hens laying because they learn from each other as well.
Keep us updated!
If you already have golfballs in the nesting box then there isn't a huge amount else you can do. I have had many first eggs that weren't in the nesting boxes, the hens seem to learn where to lay by themselves. Especially if there are other hens laying because they learn from each other as well.
Keep us updated!
Last edited:
Free Spirit
The Chiarian
Congratulations on your first egg!
It is not unusual for a hen to lay in an open area. Give them time to figure out the boxes. Generally hens like a secluded spot to lay so hopefully your boxes are in a dim, quiet area.
My first eggs were layed in various locations (floor of coop and middle of the yard). I have three boxes for my 7 hens and now they ALL use the same one - they take turns. I've even had two hens sitting in the same box at the same time. I've never needed to add golf balls or ceramic eggs to encourage it, but it doesn't hurt. Just be careful that adding the "fake" eggs doesn't encourage broodiness (unless that is what you want, provided you have a rooster).
It is not unusual for a hen to lay in an open area. Give them time to figure out the boxes. Generally hens like a secluded spot to lay so hopefully your boxes are in a dim, quiet area.
My first eggs were layed in various locations (floor of coop and middle of the yard). I have three boxes for my 7 hens and now they ALL use the same one - they take turns. I've even had two hens sitting in the same box at the same time. I've never needed to add golf balls or ceramic eggs to encourage it, but it doesn't hurt. Just be careful that adding the "fake" eggs doesn't encourage broodiness (unless that is what you want, provided you have a rooster).
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mhegge
Songster
- Sep 2, 2015
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Great, thanks. I have golf balls in so I'll wait. I found this one is the coop corner bedding when I was raking. We had 2 soft empty eggs this week so I figured it'd be soon. Also, how long does it take for an egg to be laid? I ask because a fee hours ago, I was walking behind one of the hens and I noticed her pushing a little, I could see the egg come out a bit and then go back in when she stopped pushing. I've been watching her but she hasn't laid yet. This is our first time with chickens so we're learning as we go.
My hens go in and out of the coop for an hour while singing the egg song, and then finally settle down and begin to lay. It's quite unusual for them to begin to lay and then stop.
If it doesn't come out in the next few hours then it might of gotten stuck, this can happen in young hens whose reproductive organs haven't fully gotten into the right routine yet.
Egg binding :
Symptoms
No interest in eating or drinking
Walking like a penguin
Abdominal straining
Going in and out of the nest box repeatedly
Watery diarrhea or no feces at all along with a full crop
Droopy and depressed
Pale face, comb and wattles
Hard abdomen
It's probably nothing, but it's best to check.
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mhegge
Songster
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Thank you. She isn't showing any signs of anything, but I'll keep am eye on it. She may have snuck it somewhere too since they free range. I've been checking a lot but brown leaves hide brown eggs well
Thank you. She isn't showing any signs of anything, but I'll keep am eye on it. She may have snuck it somewhere too since they free range. I've been checking a lot but brown leaves hide brown eggs well
Haha! Hens are very mischievous!
Sometimes the soft ones are harder to get out and can make them act kinds weird.
First week or so they can drop them about anywhere<rolleyes>
Tell me about it! Once, when my leghorn was beginning to lay it just dropped out on the stairs into the coop.
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mhegge
Songster
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We've gotten 2 more eggs since the first, both in one box! I think my shy girl laid the first and she has been way braver lately and coming out of the coop way more...yay! I'm not sure exactly on the other two, but have a suspicion on one. But they are all acting healthy and happy!
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