Hens laying anywhere but nesting box!

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Nkelly

Nkelly

Chirping
5 Years
Jan 4, 2015
20
2
62
2 of my 8 hens started laying. Today is the third day for eggs. However each day I have found one under the roosts and yesterday it was slightly broken as if she layed it from on the roost. My other laying hen will lay whereever she is standing. In the coop or in the run, it doesn't matter to her. I do have fake eggs in the nesting boxes but they don't seem interested. Is this normal until they catch on the the egg laying or am I doomed?
 
This is very normal, new layers are funny things. I've seen a few of my pullets just pecking and scratching around, doing their normal thing, then they suddenly look panicked and make a beeline for the coop or pop out an egg right where they are and look seriously confused about it.

And one of them probably is laying from the roost. You can expect all kinds of crazy things when they're just getting going (soft, misshapen or bloody eggs, eggs in weird, random places, ect).

Eventually they'll work out the kinks.
 
Give them a little time to figure it out. This is normal. They will also pick their favorite and stick to it.

My first few eggs where in the center of the coop, in the yard, and on the ramp into the coop. Now my 7 hens all share the same nesting box. I have three but they only use the same one. Sometimes when one of my hens is sitting another hen will either sit in there next to her or lay in the center of the coop.
 
Thanks both of you. I have three nesting boxes also. An I wouldn't mind if they decide to use just one, just all long a they choose a nesting box and not in the weeds haha.
 
aart said:
Are the nests easy to get in and out of?
Post pics?
Click to expand...

Yes they are at the bottom of the coop
400

Sry bad quality, the light was coming in the window
 
Looks good...I can see if fine despite the funky lighting......will just take them some time.

Maybe take the fake eggs out of just one of the nests, I had a pullet who didn't like them at first.
 

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