Eggs everywhere

[Thunder344]

Hi!
A couple days ago i found a blue egg 3-4 feet from the nesting boxes. Was still warm when i picked it up and a hen was trying to settle on it.
I have had 2-3 eggs i found on the ground which i think they kicked from the boxes on accident. any way to actually know their laying on the ground and how to stop it? How to stop them kicking eggs out?

 

[Mvan42]

How many hen do you have? How many nesting boxes? Is there a barrier to keep eggs from easily rolling out of the nesting box? How old are your girls, young layers often need to be taught where to lay their eggs..

 

[Thunder344]

How many hen do you have? How many nesting boxes? Is there a barrier to keep eggs from easily rolling out of the nesting box? How old are your girls, young layers often need to be taught where to lay their eggs..

36 chickens, 5 are chicks and 3 are roos. 4 nesting boxes. Small barrier to keep bedding in and eggs, but they still kick stuff out.

 

[Thunder344]

36 chickens, 5 are chicks and 3 are roos. 4 nesting boxes. Small barrier to keep bedding in and eggs, but they still kick stuff out.

They are just starting to lay.

 

[Mvan42]

36 chickens, 5 are chicks and 3 are roos. 4 nesting boxes. Small barrier to keep bedding in and eggs, but they still kick stuff out.

I would add at least 2 more nesting boxes.. If you can add 4 more.. 4 is not enough for 28 layers. Plus when the chicks get laying age.. thats 33 for 4 nesting boxes.. sounds like you need more.. I forget the ratio for chickens to nesting boxes but I know you need more..

 

[rosemarythyme]

More nest boxes and a higher lip in the front, at least 3-4".

 

[Thunder344]

More nest boxes and a higher lip in the front, at least 3-4".

It is 3-4 inches, but the bedding is also that thick.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

You should have at least one nesting box per 5 laying hens. However, I suspect the issue is that they are new layers. Just keep fake eggs in the nest box to help teach them to lay. I've had new layers have hiccups like this every year and they usually straighten out in a few weeks. I agree that a lip helps, but I suspect the gals are just getting the feel for their new found egg-laying abilities.

 

[drinkoj]

What everyone else is saying, plus throw some golf balls into the nesting boxes so the girls know where to lay those eggs. It takes about 1.5 months but they figure it out eventually.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It is 3-4 inches, but the bedding is also that thick.

Possibly increase it more, or try reducing the height of bedding in front of the box by pushing the bedding back so it's piled higher in rear, lower in front. Seems to help with mine.