I have 14 girls who are about 16 weeks old. I didn't really think they would start laying yet, so had not gotten around to placing the fake "eggs" into the nesting boxes. Last week I went out and sitting in the corner of the coop was a beautiful brown egg. Wanting to encourage whomever had laid it to use one of the boxes next time, I placed the "eggs" in the boxes and messed up her original nest and put a box in the corner. Two days later the box was moved and another perfect egg. So now we're in a battle of the wills, me trying to block off her spot, she determined to lay where she wants. Two days ago I went out to the coop, and there was the egg in the corner AND an egg ON TOP of the nesting boxes! Same thing yesterday. Is there any hope of getting them to lay where they're supposed to be laying? I'm concerned that the rest of the girls will learn from these two incorrigibles to lay wherever they want and then I'll have a daily easter egg hunt! The boxes are about 12x12x12 and have shavings and the fake eggs nestled in them. Anything else I can do to encourage them to make use of the boxes? Also, should I start putting out layer mix for these two or wait until more are laying? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
