Hen who lays in the run not nesting box!

[Totes Quackers]

G'day all... I have 6 hens, 3 who have started laying. My 3rd laid her first egg today.. however I found it in the run, not the nesting box? My other 2 lay their eggs in the same box, I have 3 boxes so not sure why she chose outside in the run??
TIA!

 

[NottinghamChicks]

She will get it eventually. My EE layed her first in the run, but did find a good use for the boxes soon enough

 

[BANTAMWYANDOTTE]

First of all, congrats on getting your first eggs from each of them! They are happy on their environment!


She is young and inexperienced, you may have to show her what the boxes in her coop are for. Eventually she will learn. I have found that having and older, more experienced hen to show the younger hens how she does it. Most of what chicks learn comes from mama and the older flock members, if they were in a brooder then they have never been taught how adult chickens behave.

So, now you have to teach them.

I would try putting a different bedding in the nest or lower one nest. Even try adding nests. Chickens are very curious about "new" objects or changes in their environment. Put wooden or ceramic eggs in the nest as well when you change it. (golf balls work too) This will cause her (and the whole flock probably) to hop in and out of the nest and look around. You will peak her interest in the the boxes and what she can use them for.

Also check her for health problems, she may not be able to get in the nest.

It is more likely that she is just young and somewhat careless about her eggs. After all, she is still very young and needs to learn the correct way that this is done. Just hang in there, she will catch on I am sure.


Hope this helps!


Timothy in KY

 

[carolinasculpture]

I had one do the same thing. I put the plastic eggs in the b oxes and then she figured it out. I did see her standing at the nest boxes eying the plastic eggs for quite some time before she finally hopped in. it was pretty comical...OH, is THAT what I am supposed to do with these things?!

 

[krcote]

I had the same thing happen. Seems like when they are young and inexperienced, the need to lay takes them by surprise and they lay where they are

It gets better, don't worry!

 

[Totes Quackers]

Thanks everyone! I went out to collect eggs today and noticed the hen is question was in the nesting box... waited patiently and yay, egg laid in the right place and my son is super excited because his chicken 'Brian' is now laying delicious eggs! Go Brian!