Laying everywhere but nesting boxes

[jcatblum]

I had a small piece of plywood propped up against a wall in the coop. All the girls started laying behind it, would have 2 or 3 behind it @ a time. So I took the wood laid it flat down on the ground. Instead of going back to the boxes they went to laying behind a 55 gal drum I have in the corner that holds hay. I don't mind. I can find the eggs. They are still laying them in the coop & are easy for me to find. Who says chickens need nesting boxes anyways?? They seem to think the ground is much nicer! I have been battling lots of snakes, guessing that is why the girls quit the nesting boxes. One day they will go back to the boxes, but for now they just don't won't too.

 

[classicsredone]

What about if they are locked up in a confined space and still prefer to lay in the run? We have an ark with two nest boxes. Only two of seven have started laying. Our BR girl will lay in the nest, but the SSH that is laying pops them out right in the middle of the tractor every time. It's difficult to even get in there to get the thing.

 

[upcdayz]

Quote:
While I am certainly no expert, my first thought is that since your girls are just starting to lay, it could be that the SSH is not quite sure when she's about to, and just can't get to the nest box in time. It could also be that she wants to use the same nest as your BR, but it's occupied when the egg is on its way. With my hens, they all use the same nest box. They take turns, which tells me that as it gets close to egg laying time, they do have some control over the timing. With a young hen, maybe she just hasn't learned how to do that yet.

 

[KDK1]

They might be just looking for a cooler place to lay.

 

[classicsredone]

Cooler spot to lay might be right...or she's a confused youngin'. I'm hoping she figures it out soon.