Laying eggs in the poop dish

[brijetterom]

My ladies have finally started laying. (1 at least). This is excited but she is laying eggs in the area under the roost where they sleep and where I have a "poop board" to chat most of their droppings.

Any suggestions? I have boxes for nest boxes filled with soft shredded newspaper. They don't seem to like it.

Should I rearrange the coop and move the nests to where she is laying it?

Thanks!

 

[sunflour]

Maybe you could remove the poop boards until they learn to use the nests? Place fake eggs or golf balls in the nests.

 

[brijetterom]

I laid golf balls in the nest and no luck. If I move the poop board then there will still be an egg laid where they poop the most.

 

[brijetterom]

I am wondering and considering of rearranging the coop will work. I am thinking if I take down the perch where she is laying the egg and put the nest boxes over there that might work…… Any suggestions?

Also, are boxes ok for nest boxes? I liked the idea that I would recycle them after a while when they get gross and start new.

 

[collingwood]

Yeah boxes are fine for nesting in as long as you change them!

 

[sunflour]

I am wondering and considering of rearranging the coop will work. I am thinking if I take down the perch where she is laying the egg and put the nest boxes over there that might work…… Any suggestions?

Is there anything you notice of why they prefer the roost area over where the real nests are? Can you post photos of inside the coop?

 

[brijetterom]

The only thing I can think of if that that area is a bit darker, maybe more private?

 

[sunflour]

The only thing I can think of if that that area is a bit darker, maybe more private?

If you mean the roost/poop board area is darker and more private, I think that's the key. They prefer privacy. I had removed my nest box curtains to try to get 2 broodies to give it up…After that all layers used only one nest..the darker one. I put new curtains up and they are all laying in the other box now. Have you tried nest curtains, I do think they work. Don't have to be extravagant, just something that offer some privacy and dim light.

 

[brijetterom]

That makes sense. So here is my options, tell me what you would do. I can darken the other corner of the coop and remove the perch so that I can put the nest boxes (There are perches in both sides of the coop) OR I can remove the perch they ALWAY sleep on and put the nest boxes in that corner and hope the take up sleep on the other side of the coop.

Confused? I hope not

 

[sunflour]

Chickens really don't like change, although they do adapt quickly. I would leave the roost they are sleeping on alone and make the nest area you have more inviting?

Don't know how the poop board they are using is attached to the coop, but if you could add a slope so they don't want to sit that could help.