Is this normal??

[StephanieRose44]

She is 21 weeks old and I knew she was ready to lay she laid a tiny egg and than onother “fairy egg, fart egg ect.) her next day on the ground both times. I put her in the coop and I’ve done this with a few who didn’t catch on that nesting boxes are a safe a spot to lay, so I’d let them out make sure they have some food and water in the coop I kept her in there with both doors shut she was laying on the box after almost an hour or two I let her out and no egg. I’m not trying to rish her she’s my favorite bird and I definitely feel she is a little attached (as I am to her) lol but I’m concerned her first floor egg fairy egg tiny egg was on March 21st just right there was I was standing I ran in to get my camera lol and she had laid her egg right there no cover or anything next to a post. Next egg same thing I was near bye I knew she was searching for somewhere to lay and there she goes again a wide open next to a different fence post but still... hasn’t laid since please tell me if this is normal or not and how to help her.

 

[bobbi-j]

She's just starting, so she may still have a few kinks to work out. I don't know that there's any way to "help" them start laying regularly or not. As far as getting her to lay in the nest boxes, if you could maybe get some ceramic or wooden eggs to put in them, that may help.

 

[chickens really]

She is just learning and getting to practice laying too. If your nest boxes are not attractive she won't use them...

 

[ChickNanny13]

Picture of your set up & nest boxes please. What are you using to line them? What breed is she? Thinking she's just "immature" as is her egg laying system but the fake "egg" in the nest helps with trying to get them to lay in the nest box. I had an EE pullet lay an egg while walking across the coop, she was surprised and I thought it funny.

 

[Perris]

she won't choose to lay in the open once she understands what's going on. Right now she might think she's pooping. A golf ball will work if you don't have a fake egg to show her where she's supposed to lay. Having said that, I have one who has been laying in one of the nest boxes since she started in late December, but the day before yesterday and yesterday she decided to lay in a cardboard box in the shed...

 

[Helenahenbasket]

I would say fake eggs in the nest box.

 

[StephanieRose44]

she won't choose to lay in the open once she understands what's going on. Right now she might think she's pooping. A golf ball will work if you don't have a fake egg to show her where she's supposed to lay. Having said that, I have one who has been laying in one of the nest boxes since she started in late December, but the day before yesterday and yesterday she decided to lay in a cardboard box in the shed...

I think she knows where to lay she has been starting to go in the nest box and lay like she’s ready and trying but always ends up but I’m just concerned about the whole egg making cycle, since she’s already laid an egg I’m afraid of her getting egg bound (not sure if that’s the right term) an egg stuck inside her that she can’t lay? But you make a very good point she may just think she’s pooping

 

[Stepnout]

My first pullets won’t be a year until the end of the month. When they started I had several shellless eggs, eggs outside on the ground and several days they didn’t lay at all. One pullet didn’t lay until 30 + something weeks. They are like clock work now. It will just take her a little time to sort it out.