Help me solve this mystery.

[davidr]

The girls aren't kicking them out of the nest.

There is a 1" lip on the nest boxes, and the eggs on the floor are deffinetly in a chicken made nest in the wood shavings. .

I do fill the nest boxes with shavings, but they kick it all out and lay on the bare wood of the nest box.

Could it be that some chickens don't like the bare floor of the nest box?

Should I rebuid the nest boxes and make them deeper?

David

 

[CMV]

Quote:
It couldn't hurt. Or maybe just alter 1 or 2 and make them deeper.

 

[MHG]

I have 6 nesting boxes and 6 chickens...they all get used except one...one of my hens always lays on the floor in the corner. I am convinced that nothing I could do will break her of this habit. As long as it is not in the middle of the floor where I could step on it...I don't mind.

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

I have a Lakenvelder who always lays her egg right inside the pop door. She always has and I just let her continue. Maybe she just likes the view better than in the dark nest box.

 

[nelli21]

Quote:
Hi David-
I have a 4 inch lip on my nest boxes, and I use hay or straw as nesting material. They can make a better nest and it doesn't get kicked out. I have also put old folded towels on the bottom as the center of the nest, as they work the material, will eventually be bare wood.

I reread your post and had to edit my answer. I don't know why they would rather make a nest on the floor except maybe they like laying in the shavings. I recommend putting straw or hay in your nest boxes- I agree with your theory. But if the eggs are not broken, then the 1 inch lip is not a problem and the eggs are not being pushed out.

I had a hen that laidn while on the roost for a while- she would lay the egg on the roost, it would fall and break, and then ALL WOULD POUNCE TO EAT IT. Disgusting. (But now I give them as a "treat" eggs with hairline cracks so I got over that.)

Is this a new thing or has it been happening all along?
Nelli

 

[Sequin]

My guess is that they are laying where they feel comfortable and secure. I will occassionally find eggs outside in the chicken run vs. the nesting area. It happens. Happy egg hunting!!!

 

[farmin'chick]

Heh heh...Today I found 6 in the goat house, 2 in an unoccupied chick house, 1 on the ground in the layer pen, 1 on the porch, 1 in a box of hay, and 9 in the nesting boxes...and I'm guessing there are 7 or 8 that they are hiding in the weeds somewhere....Good luck! Yes, I think they like to see you crawl around.

 

[davidr]

Yesterday there where 6 in the nest boxes, 1 under the nest boxes and 1 under the roosts.

I am going to increase the height of the lip on the nest boxes to 3" to hold more shavings and see if there is any change.

Not only do they like to see me crawl around, as I seem to have an audience when I do. Two of the girls like to jump on my back and take a ride as I crawl around. I know they have minimal brainpower, but could they be laying them on the floor just for the chance of a ride?

No, never!

Good thing this all happens inside the coop, if the neighbors saw me giving piggy back rides to the girls, I would be off to the "nut hut" for sure.

Thanx again for all your suggestions. I'll post again after the nest box upgrade

David

 

[Lollipop]

Dave, I`ve got a long handled garden tool for those hard to reach eggs. It`s for weeding, I think. Five foot handle, 3 curved prongs. Works like a champ and I wouldn`t be without it. Had it about 9 years.

Another thing, cut a piece of old carpet to fit in each nest. Then, if they scratch out all your nesting materials, there will still be some padding for the eggs............Pop

 

[Rogue Rooster]

Dave; I had a similar problem and found out that my nest box's were to bright. Hens like a dark spot to lay eggs. I painted the inside of the nest box a bark color and put up a piece of shade cloth over the front blocking out some of the light , but leaving enough room for them to get in and out. Worked like a charm. Tried it on one nest box first and now that one is the most poplar nest with about 8 eggs a day in it.