Australorp laying outside

[petercriddell]

I've got three australorps that started laying recently. One of them is laying outside instead of their nesting box. The other two don't seem to have a problem. I thought the coop was too hot (I'm in AZ) so I put a shade over the coop, but she's still laying outside. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

 

[chicmom]

You might have to shut her in the coop for a few days, if it doesn't get too hot for that.

 

[chicmom]

Or put a few golf balls in the nesting boxes to give her the idea......if she's low on the totem pole, that could be why....maybe you could put in one more nesting box, although they always seem to want to use the same one.

 

[buckaroo's wife]

Do you have some "fake" eggs in your nesting box? Ceramic/wood eggs or even golf balls work great....put a couple in the nesting box and lock your girls up for a few days. They'll get the idea. If it's REALLY hot there (which I assume it is since you're in AZ) you might also install a small fan for "breeze" in the coop - just make sure it's not blowing RIGHT on them. Good luck!

 

[petercriddell]

I'll try the golf ball thing. I can't really lock them up in the coop--it's really the 'loft' in an ark and it's just too small and hot up there. I already have a fan blowing up into the loft, but they just can't stay up there for extended periods. It's been in the 110's the last few days.

 

[chicmom]

Oh wow! Super hot! Hope the golf balls work for you. I've got three nesting boxes in my coop, and for some reason, all 12 hens want to lay in the same box.....they take turns, sometimes two are laying in the same box, all squished on top of eachother.....they line up for this box......now that I've put three boxes in there....one hen, my smart little RIR is laying in one of the other boxes.....but the rest still clamor for the one box. Kinda funny!

 

[thumper29a]

mine is also low on the totem pole and she wont lay at all,i even moved her out of coop and nothing diff,wont lay at all

 

[thumper29a]

i really dont see the golf balls working cause she allready has real eggs showing from other hens

 

[K-12 Chickens]

I've got three australorps that started laying recently. One of them is laying outside instead of their nesting box. The other two don't seem to have a problem. I thought the coop was too hot (I'm in AZ) so I put a shade over the coop, but she's still laying outside. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

Have you figured out where her "secret nest" is? If she doesn't respond to the fake-egg-in-nest tip, then at least you'll know where to find her eggs. I lost 7 good eggs because Blackie my Black Star had a secret nest.

 

[GuineaMama]

I wonder if this is just something that Australorps do. I have 2 Australorps that lay their eggs wherever they happen to be at the time. I find them under the nest boxes, out by the waterer, next to the ramp to the coop, in the corner of the pen, etc etc etc. Every now and then they even manage to actually get an egg IN a nest. Crazy birds!!!