Laying eggs outside of the nesting box!

[cmcsherry05]

We have 5 hens, 4 of which are laying daily. 2 of them are laying the eggs in the coop and/or run rather than the nesting box. Is this ok? Do we need more than 1 nesting box?

 

[mickey328]

I'll be watching this thread with interest. We have 6 sexlinks and generally get 5 eggs a day. Pretty much always find 2 in the box and the other three in the bottom of the coop. I'm not overly worried about it but I did find one once that had been pecked enough to break the shell but not the membrane. There are a couple of the girls who seem to like to roll 'em around...they don't sit on them, but seem to like to have them near. I make it a point to grab 'em up as soon as I see them.

 

[Dwkuska]

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[Happy Camper]

Well... it is recommended to have more than one nesting box. This does not mean they will choose one more than the other and at different points they may lay in different boxes. Some prefer one over another. However giving them the option is important...

In my experience the "ranking" within the coop community affects where they lay. Some dominant hens won't let other hens lay in their box or come close to their territory... Also I have found access to the nesting box is crucial. In their way to get there they may encounter problems or opposition from territorial/dominant hens...so maybe having more than one access can help.

I would suggest having alternate nesting boxes around the coop and also some nesting boxes at different levels. Let me explain; I had to make up a nesting box not too high for a picky hen... I put a 5 gallon container laying on the side on top of two cement blocks (just to make sure it is above the floor) with hay in it ... this hen lays there every other day and is not bothered by my dominant hen who can't care less about that spot.

You can also assess some other issues: is the nesting spot too bright at certain times of the day?, can you move or put a nesting box in the spot they seem to prefer? (maybe they find it safer or more private)...

Those are my 10 cents

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, and

! I concur with Happy Camper's advice. May also just take them a little time for the birds to figure it all out! Best of luck to you.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

From what I have read and practiced, 3-4 hens will willing share a nesting box. I would probably be better to have 2.

 

[liz9910]

from California, I agree with the above posts.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[LovePolish]