Fussy Layer Neeeeeds A Nesting Box

[hrmalexandra]

My light brahma just started laying 5 days ago. I found 2 eggs in the nest box and one inside the day run, on the grass. But today she was in her day run and FREAKING OUT - I finally let her out, and she went straight to the coop and into the nesting box to lay.

Is it normal for chickens to be this fussy about where they lay? Should I install a nesting box into the day run? She's been really unpredictable on the timing of her laying - will this settle down?

 

[onedozenphyllises]

They want someplace private to lay. If they're out in an exposed run, they most likely won't want to lay there. Is your run not adjacent to the coop, such that she could have access to the coop anytime?

Timing will settle down somewhat, but will still be variable. It's my understanding that they lay slightly later each day. I've never tried to observe this and I have quite a few hens, so I don't know how much each individual varies, but I will say that some lay early in the morning, others late in the day.

 

[hrmalexandra]

No, the run is a separate entity. They have a tarp over half of it, but no enclosed areas. I'll work on designing a portable nesting box for the day time!

 

[gritsar]

They will get particular about their nestboxes. The best solution IMO would be to make it possible for her to get to her usual nestbox in the coop.
My first hen to start laying did so while they were still living on the screened porch and didn't have nestboxes. She found a folding canvas chair that was to her liking and that became her nestbox. I had a heck of a time with her when we moved them to the coop. Every day like clockwork she'd show up at the screen door, wanting to go to her chair.

 

[welovechickens]

I stuck a purple plastic cat carrier in my chickens' run, and that is where they lay.

Their run is attached to their coop. Once we get their house done, we will have nest boxes for them.....don't know if they will want to use them though...they might continue to want their purple "princess" nest box.

 

[Sequin]

Even a bucket laid on its side with some straw or shavings in it will suffice so long as it is big enough for the hen to stand up in and can turn around in. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. You probably already have something around the house you can re-purpose as a nest box. But yes, she ought to have a private place in the day run to lay her eggs.

 

[onedozenphyllises]

Quote:
I have one who has taken a liking to a seed flat on a shelf on my porch. After a whole YEAR of laying in the coop, she has decided she likes the seed flat better.

 

[Mom2Cool]

Quote:
Oh thank you for sharing this & giving me a laugh with this visual of that hen at your door. They do have a one track mind when they get some thing in their head huh?