Just started laying

[Cochick1960]

I have a small flock 2 each Easter Egger's,Welsummer,and 2 Buckeye's all at about 23 weeks now I just got the first egg today! YEAH!!!! But my question is I have one of the easter egger that goes in and scratches out all the nesting material from the boxes and plays soccer with the fake eggs I put in there to encourage laying and every time I go refresh it she runs right up there and scratches it all out into the coop again I've been denying them access to the nesting boxes at night because all they were doing is pooping in there should I leave the boxes open to them all now why does my one go so crazy wrecking the nesting boxes? And how do I stop her from doing this so I do not end up with a bunch of broken eggs?

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

Not sure how many egg boxes you have, but you likely only need 2-3 boxes for your 6 hens. If you have more than that, feel free to cover those up.

If you are still dealing with birds popping in their nesting boxes, one thing you can try is making sure their roosting poles are higher than the nesting boxes and far enough away from the boxes that they can't poop in them.

What type of material are you using to line the nest with? I prefer pine shavings, but others use straw or other material.

Do your nesting boxes have a lip on them? Decreasing the overall size of the entryway into the nesting box can sometimes minimize a hens ability to kick things out of the nest.

Do your chickens have plenty of other things and places to scratch, besides the nesting boxes?

 

[appps]

My hens are not a fan of the hay I have in the nest box. As much as I feel they should want to lay on a nice soft pile of hay they generally push it away till they are laying on bare bottom of the box. I'd just let it be for a while. She sounds like she is trying to work out what to do in there and nature is a bit confused still being so young.

I'd keep locking it at night.

 

[Cochick1960]

I have just 2 nesting boxes and I am using straw but had used pine shavings once or twice with the same result I am going to need to do a modification to the coop I was thinking I could use a thin strip of yard edging material to do a 2"lip they would have to go up and over to get into them maybe and the roosts I have are not very good it came with the kit for the coop and they are on the same level as the nesting boxes just perpendicular to it but maybe if I get in there tomorrow and elevate them a few inches it might help. Thanks for the advice what do they have to scratch I keep them confined to the run as there are far too many neighborhood dogs and also chicken hawks in CO I am afraid they would not be safe free ranging.Ive hung green tomatoes and cucumbers and garden greens cabbage in the coop to keep them entertained I will try the things you suggested and thank you.

 

[drumstick diva]

You might also try physically putting your birds up on the roost at night and leaving them in the dark. Birds, generally won't move in darkness. They may learn that is where they should spend the night. Some pullets get a little freaky before they start laying, having urges but, not knowing what they mean or how to handle it. They may go in and out of a nest box - trying to decide what to do. Sometimes the first eggs just get away from them and may be dropped from the roost, or on the ground - and surprise them.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Justso]

Putting the roost up higher helped me with the pooping situation too!
Good luck!