Hen lays first egg in wrong place

[Kraemer7]

Hi! One of my hens (my first flock) laid her first egg yesterday- yay! But she did it in the back of the feed storage room in our barn instead of the nesting box. I saw her going there again this morning and picked her up and locked her in the coop. Now it’s hours later and she still hasn’t layed. She’s pacing and clucking. Is it dangerous for her to not lay her egg? I don’t want her to be uncomfortable, but also don’t want her laying place to be on the storage room floor. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Every [explicative] Time.

Seems like all of my layers are surprised by their first egg, and most don't lay it in the box, even after seeing their elder flock mates deposit 15, 20 eggs a day in the nesting boxes.

She will lay - its not something she can delay indefinitely, and its not dangerous. You can encourage her with fake eggs (or golf balls) in the nexting boxes. The boxes themselves seem to do best when they are moderately dark and protected. Also, dry, bug-free, and lined with something forgiving - straw, hay, pine shavings, etc.

 

[Kraemer7]

Well I’m glad its not unusual! I only have young pullets- they’re all 5.5 months so they haven’t seen the nesting boxes used correctly yet. My lav Orpington was the first to lay. I have fake eggs in all the boxes as well as pads, straw and herbs. I moved the food and water to the other end of the coop, so it’s fairly quiet I think. I can put a curtain across the middle of the coop for extra privacy too. I just gave up and let her outside- we will see what she does. If she lays in the same spot I’ll definitely lock her in tomorrow. I’m glad she’s not in danger or uncomfortable. Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Sounds like you are doing everything right. They will figure it out eventually.

 

[aart]

Keep them all confined.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.