Egg Laying Outside

[DanaW]

We have two Rhode Island Reds and had two barred rocks, but lost one of them a week ago. Our hens paired off when we brought them home by their breed, both pairs would roost together and behaved like buddies. Now our barred rock is alone, but seems to be getting along with the reds.

One issue that we are having is that she is starting to lay her eggs out in the run outside now, however, instead of the nesting box. I am not sure why this behavior is developing. When she first did this I did not know an egg was in the yard and found it with peck marks on it. Has anyone run across this behavior? Have a solution? She does not lay in a pattern like the reds where I can keep her confined to lay in the boxes.

I planned on getting a replacement chicken that I was hoping I could get to pair with Flo (the barred rock). The chicken breeder suggested that I introduce two new chickens (2 month old) to my group (8 month old) so that the new one will not be singled out. I am going to add a Wyandotte and an Ameraucana today, separated but visible for the day and then put them together at night. I planned on repeating this separation during the day and then introducing Flo to their group to bond with them before adding the three back to the reds. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[iwiw60]

Since you have a 6-month difference in age, I would separate those two new ones from the flock for a time so that fighting doesn't start up. Cordon them off with chicken wire so they can 'see' each other to get used to each other. As for the pecking on the egg, you might have a homicidal hen on your hands, for what reason I couldn't tell you.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=eating+eggs

 

[DanaW]

As an update, I am finding the egg laid by my lone barred rock in the chicken coop, just outside the nesting box and destroyed. I do not know if the reds are doing this or she is doing it to her own eggs. This started occurring after I lost her buddy barred rock last week. Anyone have any ideas what could be happening? Are the reds ganging up on her or is she destroying her own eggs?

 

[iwiw60]

As an update, I am finding the egg laid by my lone barred rock in the chicken coop, just outside the nesting box and destroyed. I do not know if the reds are doing this or she is doing it to her own eggs. This started occurring after I lost her buddy barred rock last week. Anyone have any ideas what could be happening? Are the reds ganging up on her or is she destroying her own eggs?

This page might give you more insight into you dilemma:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=cannibalism