1st eggs

[m3sews]

We got our 4 chicks at RK on July 22, 2022. December 14th we got our first egg, which was in the coop! I've wondered if the other 2 weren't laying yet or hiding them while free ranging. We only had 1 nesting box in the coop. Well yesterday I added another box to the coop. Guess what??? Today I had 2 eggs, one in each box. I added a 3rd box today. We will see if I get three eggs tomorrow. So much for they generally all prefer the same box. I have looked throughout the day where they travel, but haven't found eggs. Weather dependent, some days we didn't let them free range and still only the one laying. I saw others go in the box, but I guess it didn't suit at least one.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Chickens are funny little people and will keep you guessing! We have five lovely nests for 21 birds, and right now the few that are laying are all doing so in the same little corner of the floor! Back a few months ago, before the Big Ugly Molt, when I was getting upwards of 16 eggs a day, they were using at least 3 of the nests, sometimes two or three birds to a nest at a time! But right now I'm only getting 2 or 3 eggs a day. SOOO .....

 

[aart]

I added a 3rd box today. We will see if I get three eggs tomorrow.

That's not quite how it works.
You only need 2 nests for 4 layers.

So much for they generally all prefer the same box.

Yep, that's how they do!
They like to lay where others have laid.
Probably not a problem with only 4 birds, but many use fake eggs in the nests to 'spread the love'.
I have 4 nests for 16 layers, I keep one fake eggs in each nest.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have fake eggs in each of the nests too. They don't even care.