found egg outside the coop!

[dmsinny]

I found an egg outside the door of the coop this morning. It was still a little warm and had some blood on it. I cleaned it up and put it away. I only have one nest box for the 4 hens. Does this mean whomever layed it couldn't get into the nest box? Should I put in another nest box?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

While the general rule is 1 box for ever 4(ish) birds, I have always provided at least two for anything in the 2-8 bird range. That being said, it may just mean that the bird who laid this egg did not want to or know to go to the box to deposit the egg. Are your birds new layers or older established birds?

 

[dmsinny]

I do have one younger bird at the bottom of the pecking order. I've only had these hens for about three weeks. I thought maybe she was shooed from the nest by one of the other birds. I guess I will put another box in there. Thanks!

 

[Mandy020386]

This happened to me one time.. I have very stubborn girls and if they cant get into the box they like to lay in they throw a fit. So I am thinking the day I had a egg on the outside of the coop that there was another hen in her box. I had one throwing the worst fit yesterday cause she could not get in the box she liked. Silly Girls!

 

[Frindizzle]

from Washington! In our flock we have great people and it is always great to have a new member In our flock, we have no pecking order!