Eggs?!

[Chickem707]

So i just got 4 new hens, all i think are around 6 months. They don’t really understand the nest box, even though i put a fake egg in. There is so much poo in the boxes, even though I just cleaned them out. Is there a way to stop this? Also, one laid an egg today, is there a way to find out which one? Thanks

 

[PouleChick]

Hi, congrats on your new egglayer! Is there one of them who's comb is redder? I know you can do a thing where you measure between thier legs or something but I'm not sure! @bruceha2000 was it you that explained to me how to do it?

There is so much poo in the boxes, even though I just cleaned them out. Is there a way to stop this?

Are the roosts higher than the boxes? They will try to roost in the highest spot. One option is to block them off at night and open them in the morning, this will stop them from sleeping in there which is why they have lots of poo in there. If you can take a pic of your set up that would be helpful too.

 

[aart]

Are the roosts higher than the boxes? They will try to roost in the highest spot. One option is to block them off at night and open them in the morning, this will stop them from sleeping in there which is why they have lots of poo in there. If you can take a pic of your set up that would be helpful too.

Ditto Dat^^^

Here's one tutorial on how to measure the pelvic bones and other tips:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[PouleChick]

Here's one tutorial on how to measure the pelvic bones and other tips:

Ahhh thanks aart - I actually wondered if it was you when I tagged Bruce - he may have pointed me to your article!

 

[Chickem707]

Collected another today, absolutely huge!

 

[50-45-1]

Sounds like they are roosting in the nest boxes at night.
Go out and check an hour after dark and move them over on the roosts.
You may have to redesign your coop so the roosts are higher than the nest boxes.
Is this coop a small premade?
They are hard to alter.
Your girls are beautiful! Congatulations on the new layers!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree that it sounds like they're sleeping inside the boxes at night. Can you verify if that's the case?

 

[Chickem707]

I think they are sleeping in the boxes, the roosts are above the boxes so theres no way poo could fall in them.

 

[PouleChick]

I think they are sleeping in the boxes, the roosts are above the boxes so theres no way poo could fall in them.

If the roosts are already higher I'd go with an earlier suggestion of waiting until after dark and lifting them on the roosts, they shoudl get used to it. Or blocking off the boxes from evening to morning. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Or blocking off the boxes from evening to morning.

If boxes can't be blocked all night (i.e. you get up late + you have an early layer) you can also block them before nightfall, then unblock the nest boxes later in the evening after the chickens are already on the roost.