How Many Eggs Did You Get Today?

[GldnValleyHens]

Can you block them from boxes at night we use shavings no hay our winters are wet allot of our summers are also evergreen state here hay can mold white shavings do not

I really should, but somehow they always knock the barriers down. I probably could try shavings, the problem is that inside the boxes are plastic tubs where the hens actually lay the eggs. Shavings are so light that when they try to exit the tub, thus stepping on the edge, under their weight the tub flings eggs and shavings out. Hay keeps everything more weighed down. But, I do agree shavings are nice for wet season, and my coop does unfortunately get a lot of rain leaks.

 

[bruceha2000]

You need to modify the nesting area with something that will keep the back of the tubs down. A simple narrow board across the back at the right height will do it.

BTW, I've never felt the need to put tubs in the nest boxes. No reason really, the shavings are deep and the boxes themselves never get messy.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I cut the front off the tubs stand it with lid on top I cut the front out with a dremel top is on have not had them drag eggs out had 6 that surprised even me yesterday in one box one did get small crack but no surprise there

 

[PouleChick]

I don't know why having some poop on them would affect her hatching them

Don't toss them so fast or clean them they need the bloom

I thought I'd read that you shouldn't hatch them if they have poop as they can get bacteria in which will affect the chicks development but if I leave those (there are now 4 - one had been broken as she is in the only nesting box!) and put the other 6 under her I will have a really split hatch as the others will be up to 4 days old. So I have to take them out yes????????

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would just leave what is under but you know is she will be good with a split hatch ... yes remove the broken one.. My banty will do split hatch easy

 

[karenerwin]

Absolutely!

You can't let a coon get anywhere near the birds. It will keep coming back until your flock is gone.

2 eggs today. Double the usual.

We are usually able to catch it fairly soon after it has started raiding. Then it is gone. We shoot them. This one has been trickier. My husband wants me to bait the trap, which I don't normally do, but I think I may have to.

 

[karenerwin]

Only 3 eggs today and only 2 eggs yesterday.
Sometimes the poop can cause an egg not to hatch, but in my opinion, the bloom usually keeps the bacteria out. I have had poopie eggs hatch. If they are real dirty I try to gently knock or scrap off the "big stuff" otherwise I leave them alone.
Do whatever YOU feel comfortable with!!

 

[pennyJo1960]

only 8 main coop and 3 silky coop

 

[Acre4Me]

7 eggs from 9 layers.

 

[PouleChick]

You need to modify the nesting area with something that will keep the back of the tubs down. A simple narrow board across the back at the right height will do it.

BTW, I've never felt the need to put tubs in the nest boxes. No reason really, the shavings are deep and the boxes themselves never get messy.

That is a great idea as mine keeps flicking. It is totally my fault as I haven't made the nesting boxes but we are just so flat out working on our house what needs doing with the coops hasn't been done!

I would just leave what is under but you know is she will be good with a split hatch ... yes remove the broken one.. My banty will do split hatch easy

Sometimes the poop can cause an egg not to hatch, but in my opinion, the bloom usually keeps the bacteria out. I have had poopie eggs hatch. If they are real dirty I try to gently knock or scrap off the "big stuff" otherwise I leave them alone.
Do whatever YOU feel comfortable with!!

That is good to know about the poop although we are now Thursday so if I leave them it will be a 4-5 day split hatch which sounds like far too long to me or would that be OK?????