Knocking eggs out of the nest.

[Newfarmer36]

I bought 5 hens and a rooster yesterday to go with my flock. The hens that i already had laid their eggs in the nesting box and in the place where my Bantam lays her eggs. I have 3 nesting boxes. I was trying to encourage all of the hens to lay in the 2 extra nesting boxes so I put ceramic eggs in them. When I got home this afternoon, I went into the coop and there were 8 eggs. The ceramic eggs were on the ground and 4 eggs from my new chickens were on the ground. What's the deal with my original chickens? Why aren't they letting my new hens lay in the extra nesting boxes? Bc they don't use them whatsoever.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I don’t think that your other hens aren’t letting the new lay in the boxes. Just keep putting the dummy eggs back in the boxes. Mine used to play hockey with them, I’d find them everywhere! Also mark the dummy eggs or they could end up in your carton on accident lol

 

[Newfarmer36]

I don’t think that your other hens aren’t letting the new lay in the boxes. Just keep putting the dummy eggs back in the boxes. Mine used to play hockey with them, I’d find them everywhere! Also mark the dummy eggs or they could end up in your carton on accident lol

I didn't think about that! Lol

 

[aart]

What's the deal with my original chickens? Why aren't they letting my new hens lay in the extra nesting boxes?

So you just tossed 6 new birds in with your (how many?) existing birds?
No quarantine or introduction regime??

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

 

[Newfarmer36]

So you just tossed 6 new birds in with your (how many?) existing birds?
No quarantine or introduction regime??

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

This used to be a better search, new format has reduced it's efficacy, but still:
Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, BUT some info is outdated IMO:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock

My birds must be laid back. Anytime I have bought a new chicken, they don't mess with them. I've separated all of my previous new birds and they'd stay out in the coop while my other chickens were free ranging. I'd let my chickens in at night and while I would be in the process of putting the new chickens up, there were never any problems. Even my duck, I bought a 9 week old duck and separated them. He stayed by the fence looking at her for most of the day. I let him in there to see what would happen and he rubbed his neck on her and laid down and she waddled over and laid right next to him. They've been best buddies ever since. My hens have always been nice to new comers. these are the first set of birds that I didn't separate.

 

[kwhites634]

I bought 5 hens and a rooster yesterday to go with my flock. The hens that i already had laid their eggs in the nesting box and in the place where my Bantam lays her eggs. I have 3 nesting boxes. I was trying to encourage all of the hens to lay in the 2 extra nesting boxes so I put ceramic eggs in them. When I got home this afternoon, I went into the coop and there were 8 eggs. The ceramic eggs were on the ground and 4 eggs from my new chickens were on the ground. What's the deal with my original chickens? Why aren't they letting my new hens lay in the extra nesting boxes? Bc they don't use them whatsoever.

Just a guess, but eggs from the original hens may be encouraging the "new kids on the block". Somebody's kicking the unviable fake eggs onto the ground, encouraging the new ones to lay there.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Just a guess, but eggs from the original hens may be encouraging the "new kids on the block". Somebody's kicking the unviable fake eggs onto the ground, encouraging the new ones to lay there.

I'm hoping!! When I get home today, I'll go in and take pics of the eggs and where they're at! and post them!