Buried eggs?

[baseballchick]

So, my kiddos went down to collect eggs and when they did, my son saw the chickens "burying" them in the pine shavings. Is this normal? I have nesting boxes galore, but the woman I got the chickens from didn't, they just laid their eggs in the floor in the coop.

Is there something I should do? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Majd]

Hi.... you can make them get used to their nest boxes by locking them in the coop for a week of two.... then they will have to lay in their nest boxes then free range them and they'll lay in their nest boxes.... if they are layin in the coop and on the floor.. so you can put fake eggs ( wooden or plastic or a baseball ball) in the nest boxes to encourage them laying on these eggs.... as they think as someone had laid here so it's agood spot..... and it's a method that lots of people use... and I use it.... hope they'll lay in you boxes soon good luck

 

[baseballchick]

Ok thank you! We have tons if baseballs! I will put some in!
What Bout burying them in the bedding? Literally covered up! Should I expect chicks or just rotten eggs? Lol

 

[Majd]

I have never observed any hen doing that while broody.... but my ducks often do that when they're off the nest to eat and drink.... if a broody hen stays sitting on them day and night you'll expect some chicks.... but if she buries them and off for the rest of the day of course so chance to develop chicks... these are not reptiles' eggs a golf ball would be better than a baseball.... you look like you're a fan if baseball

 

[baseballchick]

Ok, golf balls it is! I will steal a few of hubby's

Yes, I am a very big baseball fan! Grew up with it, dad has been coaching for over 40 years and is in three hall of fames! My son now plays and loves it! So I live vicariously through him! Lol

 

[Majd]

Ohhh that's great..... hahaha yeah put golf balls I like your father's past carrier and 3 halls of fame!!!!!!! Your sun sounds great.... wish you all the best ...

 

[LTygress]

Definitely golf balls. I actually made hens broody using those! They decided there were enough golf balls in there, and started sitting on them without laying any more.

As for burying them, yes that is odd. But are you sure the hens are actually TRYING to bury them? I put mulch down in my pen, and the hens would dig through it for bugs - throwing the mulch right into the nest boxes. So it really was just a matter of foraging, and the mulch LANDING in the nest boxes.

Although it was pretty funny while the broody hens were sitting on eggs, and the others would cover THEM up with mulch! Poor broody hens didn't want to leave the nest though! Haha!

 

[Majd]

LTygress... lol .... yeah probably that what happened.... your broodies are funny lol

 

[QuirkySue]

I have a brand new layer that has buried all of her 6 eggs so far. She is not broody. When I found the first two (the same day) I put a nice crate in that pen full of hay with a golf ball, in a safe spot, but she still buries her eggs in the sawdust bedding. It's close to the waterer so it's a bit damp, and today's egg was completely covered so I actually had to dig a bit for it. Crazy hen. I think she lays there because it's as close as she can get to where the big girls lay in the adjoining pen.