Egg laying

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I got my first egg this morning! Way earlier than I expected. She laid in the corner of the coop though. How can I encourage her to use the nesting boxes?

This is my nesting box used from scrap wood. I plan to put a back on it that opens for easy egg collecting and added nesting material a few days ago. Is it too small?

Does it have a back piece of wood for privacy? Also, nesting materials?

 

[Briannafaith]

Does it have a back piece of wood for privacy? Also, nesting materials?

No back piece yet. I’m going to add it today. I wasn’t expecting her to lay so soon but I’m not complaining

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I'm waiting on 7 July 1st pullets! So, I get it!

 

[aart]

This is my nesting box used from scrap wood. I plan to put a back on it that opens for easy egg collecting and added nesting material a few days ago. Is it too small?

Not too small, but maybe too high up, best to have nests lower than the roosts.
The ladder shown looks pretty unusable, better to have a perch about 6-8" in front of nests.

Can I use her egg she just laid? It’s small so we probably won’t eat it but it was still so exciting!

Better to use fake eggs......not too small to eat, just need more to add to it.

 

[Briannafaith]

Not too small, but maybe too high up, best to have nests lower than the roosts.
The ladder shown looks pretty unusable, better to have a perch about 6-8" in front of nests.


Better to use fake eggs......not too small to eat, just need more to add to it.

Thank you! I have it exactly 18 inches above the coop floor. Maybe 12 inches instead? How long do I have to collect eggs and refrigerate to eat?

 

[aart]

I have it exactly 18 inches above the coop floor. Maybe 12 inches instead?

Depends on how high your roosts are....roosts just need to be higher than nests.
(thought I saw a roost in pic at same level, but now not sure)

How long do I have to collect eggs and refrigerate to eat?

I don't like to leave egg in nest overnight.
I do not refrigerate eggs.....that's a whole other discussion.

 

[Briannafaith]

Depends on how high your roosts are....roosts just need to be higher than nests.
(thought I saw a roost in pic at same level, but now not sure)


I don't like to leave egg in nest overnight.
I do not refrigerate eggs.....that's a whole other discussion.

Ok well thank you! Learning something new about chickens every day

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can I use her egg she just laid? It’s small so we probably won’t eat it but it was still so exciting!

Doesn't seem that small and it's perfectly edible, so I see no reason to waste it (eggs left in a nest box can possibly be broken, eaten by the chickens or pests, etc. - so best to use fakes to lure layers into using a box).

 

[Briannafaith]

Doesn't seem that small and it's perfectly edible, so I see no reason to waste it (eggs left in a nest box can possibly be broken, eaten by the chickens or pests, etc. - so best to use fakes to lure layers into using a box).

Ok, thank you! I checked this morning and she didn’t lay another. Is that normal?

 

[aart]

Ok, thank you! I checked this morning and she didn’t lay another. Is that normal?

Yes, normal.
They can be sporadic at first and lay any time of day or night......just be patient