Laying eggs on the ground

[Flame80]

Just yesterday 3 of my nine hens (pullets) laid eggs on the ground instead of up in their coop where the nests are. They have NEVER layed on the ground before! What caused this? I must say it did look like it was all my domoniques and none of my 6 whiteleghorns?

 

[sourland]

Any chance the Leghorns are hogging the next boxes ?

 

[Flame80]

They HAD been sharing so I don't know what would have made a difference this time?

 

[howdyitsmia]

My younger girls did this too one day! They went back to the nesting boxes the next day though. I hope you figure out why lol, I’m stumped too.

 

[Flame80]

No eggs on ground today. But also only one brown egg but it was in the nests with 5 white eggs. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Mellowmalt]

this happened occasionally in the past. It only happened on really hot summer days from what I remember. I think they were not sleeping in the coop some nights which is what made it happen, just a thought. It shouldn't persist, atleast it never did for me, unless they really are getting booted out the nest. So just out of curiosity do you only have one nest for them to lay 6 eggs a day? Probably a stupid question but 6 should have 2 nests minimum.

 

[Flame80]

No stupid questions, I appreciate your help. I do have 3 nests for 9 birds. They can't seem to decide which nests to use. One day all in one nest One day all in one nest but a diffrent one! One day might be scattered in all 3 nests?? No real consistancy.

 

[aart]

One day might be scattered in all 3 nests?? No real consistancy.

Exactly!

 

[April0617]

My 2 new layers laid in the run the other day. I think it was because I was being too dedicated and collected the other eggs before they saw them They didn't see eggs in the box so they got confused They definitely follow the example of the older girls. The last 2 days they were back in the box

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Not uncommon for new layers to drop eggs randomly until they figure out what's going on. After that, they tend to follow the examples of others and lay eggs in the boxes - but which boxes on what days is almost completely random. It does not sound, however, like yours are new layers.

When that happens - particularly if its consistent, I'd start inspecting the house and boxes for changes in the environment that might make one or more nesting boxes "unsuitable" - either a bird that started perching in a nest box (dirtying it up), a lack of nesting material (or a big stick in same), water or wind intrusion into one of the boxes, or some pest/predator that made them feel unsafe, or even a damaged perch (forcing them to find other accommodations).

Are there any other indications of unusual behaviors in your birds, such as avoiding the hen house?

From my own example, I recently integrated six SLWs into my flock. Birds integrated well after the new pecking order was established and things were fine - but now that they are laying too, with the lengthening days, I have a problem. In addition to the usual egg on the ground till they get their bearings, I am finding eggs in nests near perches, and even eggs on the roof of my hen house! Its been cold (for me, not them), very windy (for everyone), and wet. My hen house isn't big enough for the flock anymore (and I have to replace a perch, besides) and its showing in where they lay their eggs.

Not an issue during the day - they free range and even the run is about 900 sq ft, or even most evenings when they can stay outside the hen house, but cool (34 degrees), wet, and windy (18 mph, gusts to 25+), suddenly I have issues.