First two (well, kind of three) eggs... How encourage nesting box use?

[Panhandler80]

So, yesterday morning I found that a fake egg had been rolled all the way to one side of the box, and some of the straw was kicked up in three of the boxes. This is the first sign of usage that I've noticed. Yesterday afternoon there was one small fresh egg in one box. Having noticed that, I decided to check everywhere for additional egg(s). I found one under the coop.

The chickens have unrestricted and 24 hour access to the run, which then allows them to get under the coop.

My question is this... should I keep them locked up in coop for the next couple weeks until mid-morning in order to encourage egg laying in the nesting boxes. Obviously one of them understood the program and played nicely, but one of them (or perhaps the same one) did not. Seems like right now would be the best time to encourage proper egg laying etiquette.

The larger of the two was a double-yolk. I understand this is somewhat common early on. What I don't know is if this was the same chicken. The larger one was under the coop, the smaller and slightly misshapen one was in the nesting box. If it's the same bird, I imagine the small odd ball came first... that would be troubling because seems like that would mean she lay one in the nesting box, and then abandoned it. Or it could just be that two started on the same day.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I would block access to under the coop because confinement might cause stress and encourage picking on each other.

 

[Panhandler80]

I would block access to under the coop because confinement might cause stress and encourage picking on each other.

That's kinda what I'm thinking. I'm not going to pen up 21 birds in an 8x8 coop. As far as eggs go, I can get by retrieving eggs from the coop and run, but under the coop can't happen on a continual basis. Right now the area serves as a lot of their shaded area, though.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Maybe you can add a tarp/shade cloth over the top and add some things they can get under that you can lift up easy for additional shade.

Also if pretty hot so are your nesting boxes closed up where there is no ventilation? If so add some vents because I see your in Florida and they might not be laying in the boxes because of the stifling heat.

 

[Panhandler80]

Nothing yesterday. Four more today between 730 Central and 1200. All in nesting boxes... 3 in one, and one in a box.

Looks like we about to be egg rich. Wife found them. Not sure why she washed them. She remembered the warm water part (at least), but not the part about there is no need to wash until we eat. Oh well.
Theyll go in fridge and be eaten sooner than later.

Surprised to see a light blue in there. None of our EE seemed very close. Awesome.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Nothing yesterday. Four more today between 730 Central and 1200. All in nesting boxes... 3 in one, and one in a box.

Looks like we about to be egg rich. Wife found them. Not sure why she washed them. She remembered the warm water part (at least), but not the part about there is no need to wash until we eat. Oh well.
Theyll go in fridge and be eaten sooner than later.

Surprised to see a light blue in there. None of our EE seemed very close. Awesome.View attachment 2298628

Eggciting!!! Well that oddball egg color is a nice surprise to keep things from being dull!
I tend to take a damp sponge and brush off any yuck the best I can without messing with the integrity of the bloom because I don't like seeing poo eggs on my counter or in mt fridge, so I don't judge your wife. ha,ha!

 

[Panhandler80]

Eggciting!!! Well that oddball egg color is a nice surprise to keep things from being dull!
I tend to take a damp sponge and brush off any yuck the best I can without messing with the integrity of the bloom because I don't like seeing poo eggs on my counter or in mt fridge, so I don't judge your wife. ha,ha!

Yeah... a light blue, and the one up top even has a little bit of pink to it. We'll see how it all turns out. I'm guessing at least 4 have laid so far. 17 birds to go!

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Yeah... a light blue, and the one up top even has a little bit of pink to it. We'll see how it all turns out. I'm guessing at least 4 have laid so far. 17 birds to go!

I added 7 new ones this year 5 white leghorns and 2 isa browns = still waiting on their first eggs. should be any day now...

 

[Panhandler80]

Here's how my wife found these four today...

 

[Panhandler80]

#5 for the day. The kinda green one at 2:00 in bowl.

I'm thinking 5 or 6 have laid now. 2 on Tuesday and 5 today! Surprised to so many start at same time.