Chicken is laying egg in poop gutter

[Mmskope]

My chickens (i have 6) have just started laying their eggs. Right now we are only getting 2 eggs a day and I'm hoping the others will follow suit soon. The problem is that one is laying in the nesting box and the other is laying in the poop gutter we have under their perch. Does anyone know why and how can I stop this. I really don't want to take the gutter out because it keeps it clean in there. Any suggestions???...

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! How many nest boxes do you have? Have you put fake eggs in them?

 

[azygous]

My suggestion is the obvious. Block off the poop gutter.

New layers need to be habituated to the nest boxes sometimes. That means keeping them restricted to the coop for a few days or when you notice one getting comfortable in an inappropriate place, move her to a nest.

As @SueT pointed out, fake eggs will usually attract new layers to that nest as hens have a thing for a nest with eggs already in it. There's just something very satisfying about sitting on an egg when you're getting in the mood to lay one of your own.

 

[Mmskope]

Welcome to BYC! How many nest boxes do you have? Have you put fake eggs in

 

[Mmskope]

I have 2 nest boxes and both have fake eggs in them

 

[Mmskope]

Thank you I was trying to avoid moving the gutter out since it keeps the coop so much cleaner but I will do that for now.

 

[SueT]

You can always put it back in after they all figure out the nest boxes. Another option--could you just cover or block it during the day, then uncover it at night?

 

[PirateGirl]

Thank you I was trying to avoid moving the gutter out since it keeps the coop so much cleaner but I will do that for now.

Can you place some chicken wire or something over the poop gutter temporarily? Then the poop can still fall into it (mostly) and perhaps the chicken won't want to walk on it and lay on/in it.

 

[GC-Raptor]

the other is laying in the poop gutter we have under their perch

Sometimes a new layer will lay from the roost at night.
Some need time to learn the sensation of laying an egg.
Eventually most will seek out a nest when she feels an egg is ready. GC

 

[aart]

What does this 'poop gutter' look like....pics please?
New layers are erratic, I'd just wait it out.