Chickens Laying Eggs on Roost

[AshMckenzzz]

Hi Folks,

So this is a new one for me. On Sunday we gave the coop a good clean. Starting yesterday, I've got two of my hens laying their eggs from the roost, breaking them in the processes and making a mess. I'm confused as to why this is happening as you think they'd be delighted with the fresh shavings!

The only rare thing I've seen thus far from these girls is the occasional egg laid in the middle of the coop of we've been gone and the 1 nesting box they all love to use is full.

Let me know how i can help break this habit!

 

[peopleRanimals2]

Are they new to laying?

 

[peopleRanimals2]

And is the nesting box being blocked or something new and stressful happening?

 

[lazy gardener]

Did you just change out the bedding, or perhaps use some sort of chemical cleaner in the coop? What kind of bedding? What is in the nest boxes for bedding? How old are these birds? Any occasional weak shells, or rubber eggs? How many nest boxes/how many birds?

 

[AshMckenzzz]

We just changed out the bedding, we are using pine shavings. They aren't new to laying, 4 having been laying for about 10 months, 1 for about 6 months. YES we have recently had some with very weak shells. We are supplementing their food with Oyster Shells and Granite. We did change their food brand recently (we were close to another feed store other than our regular one. They are currently eating the Purina Layer Feed I believe.)

We have 5 hens and 6 nesting boxes, all of them just use one.
No stressful situations to report at this time which is why I'm so confused!

Should I try to retrain them with ceramic eggs or golf balls?

Did you just change out the bedding, or perhaps use some sort of chemical cleaner in the coop? What kind of bedding? What is in the nest boxes for bedding? How old are these birds? Any occasional weak shells, or rubber eggs? How many nest boxes/how many birds?

 

[lazy gardener]

You could try that, but, I'm guessing the laying on the perch is more related to the weak shell issue than it is to them not wanting to lay in the box. UNLESS, perhaps one or more of them are being bullied, and doesn't dare to use the box. You might try some Poultry Nutri-Drench or some other poultry vitamin formulation. Other question, what is the mill date on your bag of feed. Old feed (past 60 days) looses nutrients.

 

[ChickMamaKara]

Hi!! My chicken is doing the same. She is new to laying, has been laying for about 3 weeks now. She never uses nest boxes in coop. She prefers to lay on my back porch, which I don't mind... i put an additional box up there for her. But it seems if I don't let her out at 6 am to get there she just lays from roost. I've had many broken eggs. What should i do? I'm thinkinh of taking roost down til she learns. Thw other 3 chickens are about to start laying and I don't want them to follow her bad habit!! Help!!

 

[aart]

Hi!! My chicken is doing the same. She is new to laying, has been laying for about 3 weeks now. She never uses nest boxes in coop. She prefers to lay on my back porch, which I don't mind... i put an additional box up there for her. But it seems if I don't let her out at 6 am to get there she just lays from roost. I've had many broken eggs. What should i do? I'm thinkinh of taking roost down til she learns. Thw other 3 chickens are about to start laying and I don't want them to follow her bad habit!! Help!!

Welcome to BYC!
What are your nests like..pics would help.
Fake eggs or golf balls in the nests can really help show them where to lay.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days (or longer) can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.