Burying the nest eggs?

[Shugercube]

I have just recently (a week or so ago) installed my nesting boxes in the coop as my oldest hens (20.5 weeks) are getting closer and closer to POL. I put one wooden nest egg in each box. I’ve noticed every time I go to check for eggs that in 2 of the boxes the egg has been buried. The third always seems to be where I left it, or at least is still on top of the bedding. I’m assuming that means the other two are more desirable than third, or possibly just my 2 oldest girls have each picked their box.

Is the burying thing normal?? They still haven’t laid yet. I’ve read it can be a sign of broodiness if they bury their eggs, but burying a fake egg before they’ve even laid yet?? I just keep putting them back on top of the bedding, but I’m wondering if it means something isn’t right?

 

[Matejka]

Someone is nosing around the nest. Checking things out. It's normal. Keep digging it out. Good luck. Their almost there.

 

[drdoct]

Yep. almost there. Mine would roll the egg completely out of the nest or bury it. Don't worry about the 3rd box.... they'll eventually use it. For the longest time my 4 only used 1 box. Now we have 6 more and all of them get used now. Once you get a real egg, then you can put up the other fake ones.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Before many pullets start to lay they check out potential nests. That usually involves scratching. I suspect that's what is going on. They are checking out those two nests and don't much care for the third. It is not a guarantee that you will be getting eggs within a week but it is a good sign. And at some point they may use that third nest. You just never know.

I use golf balls as fake eggs and leave one in each nest at all times. I don't see where it hurts. I think it helps spread which nests get used, but they do tend to like one or two nests more than the others. Which nests are the favorites can change.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Mine scratched in the nest boxes and buried the fake eggs before laying for the first time too. Before we increased the lip height, I even found a fake egg kicked 4 feet away from the nest box. My girls all have favorite nest boxes - for a couple of weeks at a time. Then they will all switch to new favorites. Eventually all our nest boxes get used, just not all at once

 

[3KillerBs]

POL pullets make a MESS of the nests -- scratching the nesting material out, kicking the golf balls out, etc.

A good lip on the box and some patience will see it through.