Getting close to laying age but concerned about the coop crawl space

Hi and

If you haven't already, place a couple of golf balls in the nesting boxes. That gives them the idea that eggs have already been laid there.

 

Yay Chicks! :

Hi and

If you haven't already, place a couple of golf balls in the nesting boxes. That gives them the idea that eggs have already been laid there.

X2​

 

Is the crawl space open on all sides? If it is, I would suggest getting a long stick and put something on the end up it so you could push eggs out if they lay them under there. I keep picturing in my head something like a paint roller, but secured so it does not actually roll. That would be soft enough that it would not break the egg, but it also can get a little grip on it.

 

Welcome!!

I'm in Central Texas, and it's definitely been hot! The golf balls in the boxes will hopefully prompt them to lay in the boxes. But, if they have been enjoying the cool dirt and "digging in" underneath, I'll bet that is where they start laying. I have 9 hens (4 newbies) and they alternate between the boxes and the cooler dirt area of a temp coop that was set up to segregate the originals from the newbies until the newbies were big enough to fend for themselves. You might consider closing that area off - - all depends on how much crawling you're prepared to do.

Bob

5 RIRs, 3 White Leghorns, and 1 mean Lavender Guinea

 

The heat is the big thing dang...I would consider blocking off the craw space, until they started laying in there boxes.

 

Quote:I agree with this. I would not close the area off, if they use it a lot to cool off they probably need it!

I have a tractor that I cannot get into the run part except through the chicken door (will be revamping that this fall), I've gotten pretty innovative in getting things in and out of there as needed using sticks and broom handles through the wire!