Break chickens of laying on ground

[PeachLily]

I have a new batch of chickens that only recently started laying. Several prefer to lay in the corner of the henhouse on the shavings. This space is right under their roost bars. It is risking poop covered eggs, and is not easily accessible either. I have 15 chickens, and 3 nesting boxes. There are 3 older chickens who should be setting an example of where to lay. Additionally, I put “fake” eggs in the nesting boxes to encourage the right places to lay. I collect the eggs daily. I added curved branches in the corner, but that is not discouraging them. Is there a way to break this behavior?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes I place bricks or logs over the spot, and it sometimes makes them move. Doesn't always work. I would try to block the areas as much as possible and hope they eventually get the right idea.

 

[Mrs. K]

I have this very same issue after having them lay properly in the nests for years. I have removed anything that could make a nest from the floor, which make a mess. And will make cleaning up harder.

I had them back to laying in the nest, when Gramma Feathers went broody. I think she must just terrorize the nest boxes. And sure enough, everyone but one is back on the floor. But at least it is in a place that stays a bit clean and reachable.

Crazy chickens!

 

[RandyStine]

I have a new batch of chickens that only recently started laying. Several prefer to lay in the corner of the henhouse on the shavings. This space is right under their roost bars. It is risking poop covered eggs, and is not easily accessible either. I have 15 chickens, and 3 nesting boxes. There are 3 older chickens who should be setting an example of where to lay. Additionally, I put “fake” eggs in the nesting boxes to encourage the right places to lay. I collect the eggs daily. I added curved branches in the corner, but that is not discouraging them. Is there a way to break this behavior?

I can only offer that I had the same problem and went the fake eggs route. It took about a week, but the girls got it right eventually and they stopped eating the eggs too.