EE laying dilemma

[Matelew]

I have 5 hens, all which have stared laying in the last month. My buff and EE were he last to come around. I have two nesting boxes my EE, Tiger stared laying two weeks ago and laid in a nesting box then she didn't lay for 5 days now that she is laying again she has laid all three of her eggs on the poop board or while she is roosting. We have found two broken eggs and one unbroken one under where they roost. She is also lowest on the pecking order, as she doesn't get to eat with the other girls and they chase her if she tries, yet she is my favorite. Could it be that the other girls are keeping her from the nesting box? Or is this just her being young and not realizing the egg is coming? I am just confused since her first egg was in a nesting box and there are two boxes, with three of the girls preferring one over the other. Any advice is helpful. Thanks in advance.

 

[fshinggrl]

Yes, it very well could be that she is being kept away from the nesting box. 2 nesting boxes SHOULD be enough for five hens, but if she doesn't have access... It could be both your scenarios though. Some people have suggested perhaps some privacy... maybe a curtain in front of the boxes. Good luck!

 

[Matelew]

Yes, it very well could be that she is being kept away from the nesting box.  2 nesting boxes SHOULD be enough for five hens, but if she doesn't have access...  It could be both your scenarios though.  Some people have suggested perhaps some privacy... maybe a curtain in front of the boxes.  Good luck!

I can try the curtain idea...could she not be laying in the box because she needs more privacy? Though it would seem it's more private than th drops ting bars...crazy hen...sometimes these little animals are such a wonder. Also would the curtains help the other chickens from keeping her away? Willing to try it as she is my only EE and lays beautiful Tiffany blue eggs..poor girl.