Laying from perch?!?!?!

[azyreal]

Hello from Texas! I'm new to Chickens. I was given several hens (different breeds) and a rooster a week ago. The first egg was laid on the ground and got trampled (4 days ago) Next day I put in laying boxes, yesterday I found another one one the ground (I saved this one!!) I went out this morning (it was still dark) and one hen had laid while on the perch! it hit the ground and broke :-(. They arent laying in the boxes... Is this normal behavior??? Or should I just give them more time to adjust... Thank you for any and all replies!! Y'all have a blessed day!

 

[troy4]

Hello from Texas! I'm new to Chickens. I was given several hens (different breeds) and a rooster a week ago. The first egg was laid on the ground and got trampled (4 days ago) Next day I put in laying boxes, yesterday I found another one one the ground (I saved this one!!) I went out this morning (it was still dark) and one hen had laid while on the perch! it hit the ground and broke :-(. They arent laying in the boxes... Is this normal behavior??? Or should I just give them more time to adjust... Thank you for any and all replies!! Y'all have a blessed day!

I would wait to see if their nesting.Then put them in the nest once you see them trying to push it out.Normally they need to find these nests/adjust.My hens were taught by the older hens where to lay eggs.Good luck!

 

[aart]

Yes, they need more time to adjust.
Are the nests easy for them to get to? Have they checked them out yet?
Put some golf balls or fake eggs in the nests, that should attract them as to where the best spot to lay is.

 

[troy4]

Yes, they need more time to adjust.
Are the nests easy for them to get to? Have they checked them out yet?
Put some golf balls or fake eggs in the nests, that should attract them as to where the best spot to lay is.

Well if they can't reach the nests no point in putting fake eggs or golfballs in the nest.

 

[aart]

Quote: Exactly why that was the first question I asked.

 

[ChickenRaiser69]

Just eat them

 

[mamm7215]

Your nesting boxes should have a perch out front. They like to jump on that, then into the box. Also the golf ball trick, works great.

 

[azyreal]

Thank you everyone for your help... It was just that they needed more adjusting. I originally had the boxes on the ground. Then moved them higher. I have put the fake egg in the box and they started using the box.

 

[evemfoster]

Hello from Texas! I'm new to Chickens. I was given several hens (different breeds) and a rooster a week ago. The first egg was laid on the ground and got trampled (4 days ago) Next day I put in laying boxes, yesterday I found another one one the ground (I saved this one!!) I went out this morning (it was still dark) and one hen had laid while on the perch! it hit the ground and broke :-(. They arent laying in the boxes... Is this normal behavior??? Or should I just give them more time to adjust... Thank you for any and all replies!! Y'all have a blessed day!

You can put a night light in the coop until the hen starts laying at a reasonable hour. It will help the hen find the nest box in the dark. One of those LED nightlights wouldn’t take more than a few cents a year to run.

Hen’s usually lay an hour later each day. When chickens get to night time they usually hold the egg until early dawn when they can see what they are doing. But your hen is probably just upset by the move. She is probably unsure of her new surrounding and safety so is not holding the egg well. It’s like having a nervous bladder.

The eggs should be laid an hour later each morning and she will eventually be laying in the daytime again. By the time she needs to hold the egg overnight again she should be used to the place and hold the egg well.