Laying early and in the wrong place

[gmjandjmiller]

I am brand new to the world of chickens. We got 8 two day old chicks in late August and have had the BEST time with them.

This past week, one of our 4 month old chickens started to lay. Everything I read said we wouldn't see eggs for 6 months, so it was a nice surprise.

My question is this: We have nesting boxes, but (we don't know who is laying) our chicken is laying in the coop under the perch, on the floor. Is there a way to get her to lay in the box?

Thank you so much.

 

[Nemo]

Get some sort of fake eggs and put them in the nesting boxes. There are specially made ceramic ones. Some people use plastic Easter eggs with some sand in them to add weight. We used golf balls. Nearly anything roughly the size and weight of an egg.

The fake eggs help chooks find where to lay their eggs... 'If somebody else laid one here, it must be a good spot.' They also peck at them and learn they aren't something too eat, and that transfers to the real eggs.

 

[ChanceRider]

I'm interested in the replies you'll receive also as one of my 5 month old chickens (the first) has just started to lay last week. She prefers to crawl under the drop down pop door/ramp rather than the 4 nest boxes with fake eggs/golf balls. I have 3 different styles of next boxes in an attempt to see what is preferred.

Thanks for posting your question!

 

[minifarm8]

Our babies started laying a couple weeks ago and we get them all over the place. Under the perch, under the goat feeder, in the goat feeder, in the egress window, next to the water tub.....

Monday, some finally found the nest box. Got three out Tuesday morning! Makes egg hunting an adventure!