First Egg Pics!!!

[operationindigo]

One of my girls finally laid her first egg! It seems to be a pretty decent one too. I think it's the brown leghorn that laid this one, since it's white. What do you think?

 

[operationindigo]

Also, I found the egg in a neat pile of bedding under the roost. The girls always sleep in the nest box and don't ever go on the roost. I've tried everything I can think of but I can't really get inside too well to put them up on the roost each night - it's a small coop and its a process to get in there and it freaks them out. I tried blocking the box but they just huddle on the floor. I only have two hens, so it doesn't seem to me to be a huge deal if that's where they're choosing to lay. Is there any reason for me to try to break them of this?

 

[aart]

Congrats!

Is the roost higher than the nest?
Is the roost area free of strong cold drafts?
Is the roost wide enough to be comfortable? a 2x4 wide side up is a good size

I'd just keep blocking the nests at night.

Keep a couple golf balls in each of the nests all the time, might help them get the idea.

 

[operationindigo]

I'm pretty sure there's not much of a cold draft - I live in FL so its still fairly warm for a winter. They originally weren't higher than the nest box - I bought a coop that was already made and then altered it later and moved them up. Maybe the wood is too narrow. It's about 2-3 inches across. Is it harmful for them though that they aren't sleeping on the roost? I guess I just don't want to make them change if it's really not going to harm them.

 

[aart]

No not harmful if they sleep on the floor, just don't want them sleeping, and pooping up, then nests.