egg laying area

[FrannyLW]

My hens used to lay in their boxes. Now they have decided, (or maybe 1 of the 3 since the other 2 are molting) to lay on the floor in the far corner of the chicken coop so I have to go on my hands and knees and somehow crawl in there to get the egg. 1 of the 3 hens is sleeping near the nest box the other 2 are roosting. Not sure if this is the cause of not laying up there. I am not really pushing it now since it is winter and cold and I only have 1 layer out of 3 but when they all start again...how do I get them to go back and lay in a box. Put a fake egg in there?

 

[cavemanrich]

Question??? is the nesting box large enough to be comfortable for chicken to lay eggs in? It needs to be tall enough, since chicken is standing when expressing the egg.
Is nesting box enticing with hay, or other bedding?
And also a solution to get that far away egg.
I made this a long time ago,,,, and still have not wore it out. It allows me to reach eggs where out of normal reach.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[FrannyLW]

They've been laying in there since last February. They just decided to change their mind about 1 month ago. What is at the end of the stick?

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

After a dog attack my hens must not have felt safe laying in the nesting boxes and decided of all places to go lay in a dog house! Chicken logic! I blocked access to the dog house and they went back to the nesting boxes.
I would block access to where you don't want them laying and they may go back to laying where they are supposed to. Maybe freshen up the bedding to make it appealing because something may have startled them and got them thinking to lay some where more private. Could add a curtain if the entryway is wide open to give them a feeling of security.

 

[cavemanrich]

What is at the end of the stick?

An empty can that I screwed on to end of stick.

 

[PirateGirl]

Another thing to look for... mites! My girls quit laying in the nest box once when there was a mite infestation and they were particularly bad there. I hope this isn't the case for you, but definitely worth looking at.

 

[aart]

how do I get them to go back and lay in a box. Put a fake egg in there?

That might help.

Dimensions and pics of coop might help us offer other suggestions.

 

[FrannyLW]

Another thing to look for... mites! My girls quit laying in the nest box once when there was a mite infestation and they were particularly bad there. I hope this isn't the case for you, but definitely worth looking at.

nah no mites. I really cleaned again also. I believe with someone sleeping up there she told them no egg laying in my bedroom lol. When the weather gets nicer I'll have to persuade her to move her bedroom somewhere else

 

[FrannyLW]

 

[FrannyLW]