Do they get into boxes for the heck of it?

[frankenchick]

This morning, I had 4 of 5 girls in nest boxes -- including 2 that haven't laid before (as far as I know). When I went in later, there were no eggs.

I suspect egg eaters (for other reasons), and I did find bits of 1-2 soft-shelled eggs under the nest boxes.

Q1: Do they ever get in the boxes just for the heck of it?

Q2: Will they reject eggs and throw them out of the box?

Q3: Do other chickens get in and eat the eggs?

This is making me crazy!!

 

[jessied1227]

I can't answer your second and third question, but I can tell you, my girls will set in the nestboxes on and off through the day for no reason, it seems, other to set. I think it's like us sitting down on the couch for a little rest.

Hope you get eggs soon, or find out why you're not getting them.

Jess

 

[menkot]

Some of mine get in and out of the nest boxes but I have noticed that the same ones start laying soon after. I think they practice lol.

I am not sure about Q2 but on Q3 ...YES! Some love eggs. If an egg ever gets broken and one tries it then they decide they are pretty good and will enjoy your eggs before you get the chance. Someone posted some very good tricks to cure that on here. One was adding a golf ball to the nest boxes. They peck that and it gives them pretty good negative feedback. Another trick was to blow out an egg and put tabasco or something in it. Put it in the nest boxes.

Do you think maybe one of them is laying eggs on the ground instead if it getting pushed out?