Fake eggs are being moved to the back of the nest. Still no eggs

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I have had ceramic eggs in two nest for weeks now. Two days ago both fake eggs were moved to the back of the nest and there are a few feathers in the straw. The smaller nest box also had the egg moved to the back of the box and several feathers since yesterday. Should I remove the fake eggs? Oh, they are 21 and 4 days old. The hatchery said October 11 I should start seeing something.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

No idea why the hatchery gave you a specific date. Every single hen is different. I had two pullets of the same breed - one laid at 19 weeks, one laid at 27.
I’d expect an egg for you in the next week, if not sooner.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

Leave the fake eggs in the nest box all the time. The birds will inspect the boxes and scratch around some before they actually lay a real egg. Mine gave the three nest boxes a real work over before the first real egg appeared.

New birds basically lay when they are ready and not before .... and they are not consistent either. Be patient and they will arrive.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

No idea why the hatchery gave you a specific date. Every single hen is different. I had two pullets of the same breed - one laid at 19 weeks, one laid at 27.
I’d expect an egg for you in the next week, if not sooner.

I didn't word that correct....I had my calculations for when to begin to look for my first egg and it was the middle of Oct. based on the breeds. She was also counting the weeks. No definite time.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Leave the fake eggs in the nest box all the time. The birds will inspect the boxes and scratch around some before they actually lay a real egg. Mine gave the three nest boxes a real work over before the first real egg appeared.

New birds basically lay when they are ready and not before .... and they are not consistent either. Be patient and they will arrive.

I will leave them. I did put them back in the middle to see if they end up at the back of the nests.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

I will leave them. I did put them back in the middle to see if they end up at the back of the nests.

That's what I do .... dig around in the straw looking for a real egg and then neaten everything back up.

 

[3KillerBs]

Leave the fake eggs in the nest box all the time.

I leave the golf balls in the nests 24/7/365. No reason to take them out.

In fact, the ones in the Little Monitor Coop are the same golf-balls from the in-town flock. When I cleaned it out after retiring that flock I left them in the cleaned nests so that I'd have them when I wanted them again.

POL pullets tend to tear up the nests and rearrange things. I just keep putting it back until they settle down.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

It happened again today. This time I put them at the front of the nest. A few more fluffy bum feathers as well

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

AND...today it was a big ole' poo.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

AND...today it was a big ole' poo.

Good thing you moved the fakes to the front ........