chalky egg shell?

[21hens-incharge]

The Brahmas need a little extra room in the nest box too.
Mine will lay on the floor if the nests aren't big enough.

I use 14" wide 16" deep and 16" tall for them. I am sure they wouldn't mind even bigger.

 

[proudmommie31]

The Brahmas need a little extra room in the nest box too.
Mine will lay on the floor if the nests aren't big enough.

I use 14" wide 16" deep and 16" tall for them. I am sure they wouldn't mind even bigger.

I didn't know that. I'll add a bigger nest out there too.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yeah them brahma gals get pretty tall.
Love the dickens out of them though. Such nice mellow birds.

 

[proudmommie31]

Yeah them brahma gals get pretty tall.
Love the dickens out of them though. Such nice mellow birds.

She is one of my favorites. Her sister was killed in a predator attack, shes the only light brahma I have now and shes pretty big. And very mellow.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have a couple dark Brahma and Jazzy my light Brahma. I really need to get a few more.......

I am glad you enjoy yours.
i am sorry you lost one as well.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I have one hen who does the same thing. It’s part of her cycle. She doesn’t lay “rough” eggs all the time. She’s my only white shell layer so it’s easy to know. She’ll lay eggs that gradually get justa’ bit bigger each day then she’ll lay a much smaller one with a heavier or different calcium deposit right before she takes a day off.
She’s 3 years old now and she’s had this unique cycle since she started laying. It’s just her. She’s healthy...I’ve noticed each of my hens have their own unique cycle some have speckles that change etc. at first it kinda freaked me out. But now it’s no big deal. Best wishes

 

[aart]

Some birds lay eggs that are shiny, some birds lay eggs that are matte.
Not necessarily about feed or disease or stress or delayed laying...it's just how they do.
As long as the shell is hard, do not worry about the surface finish.

Putting a fake egg in each nest will help 'spread the love'.

Keep in mind the new nests might throw them for a loop, give them time to get used to the 'new thing'(chickens hate change)...and new layers can take up to a month or so to get things smoothed out.

 

[proudmommie31]

Yeah they hated the cutsie nest boxes, LOL. They threw them everywhere, literally shoved them out of the way this am and laid where they usually do. I should have known better, my ladies aren't pinterest fans I grabbed the two totes they liked that I removed last night and got two more totes (so now they have 4 nest boxes in the old style they fought over). As soon as I put them in the coop, one of the rhode island reds stopped clucking (they were all a little agitated this am) walked over, climbed in and happily settled herself in with little calm chicken noises I secured the four tote style boxes in so they can't be tipped, put the fake eggs in the ones that weren't occupied and will go check later. At least now there are four boxes, they never liked the 5 gallon bucket style nest boxes, opted for the totes every time. Not sure why one tote was "better" than the other but hopefully with 4 to choose from everyone will get a box.

 

[aart]

Even with fake eggs, there are favorites...but if the waiting line gets long they'll use the others. I've always thought the buckets were too small for comfort.
Are all your nests on the floor?

 

[proudmommie31]

Even with fake eggs, there are favorites...but if the waiting line gets long they'll use the others. I've always thought the buckets were too small for comfort.
Are all your nests on the floor?

Yes, They seem to prefer them on the floor as that's the only ones they will use. I flip the tote upside down and fill it with clean bedding so they can make their hollowed out area. There's a opening cut in the side of the tote and they can climb in and out that way. Out of both flocks, this is the preferred style box, for no reason I can put my finger on, it's just the one they will use consistently.