Eggs on the floor

[BGcoop]

Sometimes we find an egg sitting under the roosting bars. The nesting boxes are at the other end of the coop. It doesn't happen very often so we think that the favorite nesting box is being used and that hen just can't wait for it to be empty!

They’ve always had no problem sharing before. However I have noticed they are all starting to lay closer to the same time lately and some are staying in the boxes longer...?

 

[WindingRoad]

Lol too funny! No I don’t talk to my chickens!!....(oh ok yes I do, and yes I might praise them when they lay well and ask them what’s up when they don’t.) but don’t tell DH, he already thinks I’m too crazy about them.

My ex is pushing up daisies. I don't know if he can hear me or not. Probably pretty hot where he is.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmmm, the boxes Were recently cleaned, maybe they don’t like the new straw?

Very possibly this. They don't like change, even if you're just replacing old bedding with new (same) bedding. Some of mine really like putting sticks and feathers in the nest boxes, so since I have to remove those when I clean out the nest boxes, they get upset about it.

 

[MissChick@dee]

They don’t like it.
They won’t lay there.
You want eggs in your boxes
Got to listen and comply with all their demands.
That’s just what chickens do!

 

[aart]

Hmmm, the boxes Were recently cleaned, maybe they don’t like the new straw? Not that they keep any of it in for long anyway. They like to kick it all out before settling down to business.

Yep, you ticked them off!
Am betting they kicked the egg out of nests.
How high are the fronts of the nests?
Might want to make them higher(4-6") to keep bedding and eggs inside.

Are you using fake eggs in all the nests to 'spread the love'?
Works well here.
I use straw but try to get a good solid flake and cram it in tight, then 'bowl out' the center a bit.

Could just be spring hormone surge...getting them riled up.
How old are they?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I was finding an egg on the floor once in a while. I thought they were either playing kick ball or trying to confuse me. The only time I was annoyed with the egg on the floor is when they covered it with bedding and my foot found it. That was so much fun cleaning up. LOL! I've stopped trying to understand my pullets. I'm guessing they are young and not sure what they are doing all the time. Does that sound familiar?

 

[feathermania]

Yep, you ticked them off!
Am betting they kicked the egg out of nests.
How high are the fronts of the nests?
Might want to make them higher(4-6") to keep bedding and eggs inside.

Are you using fake eggs in all the nests to 'spread the love'?
Works well here.
I use straw but try to get a good solid flake and cram it in tight, then 'bowl out' the center a bit.

Could just be spring hormone surge...getting them riled up.
How old are they?

We put a thick layer of new pine chips and a new batch of straw that we fluff up and push down in the middle (like a nest where our fake eggs lay) in our nesting boxes about every four weeks or so and our hens still lay 3 to 6 eggs in the boxes every day. We do add some dried herbs in the nests when we clean them out. They will lay 3 to 4 eggs one day and 5 to 6 eggs for 2 days. We have 7 hens, one older girl that only lays every 2 to 3 days. The others will be a year old in April. The odd egg laid under the roosting bars have only happened about 4 times. I'm just curious as to why they would roll an egg about 6 feet away from the nesting boxes. I still think that the hen's favorite nest was being used and she couldn't wait for it any longer but I could be wrong!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

So my girls have been laying since about September, and except for the very first couple eggs they have all been using the nest boxes perfectly. The last couple days however, I have found 3 eggs on the floor right in the middle of the coop! It has been from different chickens(different color eggs). The majority of the eggs are still being laid in the boxes. Why would they suddenly be doing this? I have 9 girls and 4 fairly large nest boxes. It is not uncommon for them to share the favorite boxes either leaving other boxes unoccupied. (Yesterday there were 4 chickens in one box, it was like a clown car when they all came running out to see if I had treats.) Have my chickens gone insane? Are they broken, or just too lazy to walk the 3 steps over to the boxes?

I have the same problem!!

 

[Peppercorngal]

What is your lighting situation? I have a coop with lots of vents, but no windows. I use night lights in the coop. If the night lights (or power) goes off I find eggs on the floor because the chickens can't see to get in the nesting boxes. If a chicken has to lay very early in the morning and it's still dark, they may lay on the floor for the same reason. Chickens can't see in the dark. Probably not your issue, just a thought.

 

[dalasgalas]

Mine all insist on using the same nest, regardless of where they set up camp. Currently they are actually laying in the chicken house, in the space specifically provided them to lay eggs. I guess miracles do happen.