Laying from the roost and who laid it

[Dcherie13]

Update...

I’ve had two more eggs laid from the roost, once was a shell-less/rubber egg so I’m guessing it was one of the hens that hadn’t started yet. The other had a paper thin shell and I think it was the first egg from my second Easter Egger.

Yesterday morning we let them out around 11:30 and I did find a “nest” and an egg in the pine straw in our front yard a few hours later. I am pretty sure this was my Dominique who has already laid in the nest box several times so I’m confused by that?

Today I’ve kept them cooped. Any suggestions to get them in the next boxes? That’s about 4 or 5 eggs on the coop floor now. Also for my lady to get back in the box and out of the yard? Still have golf balls in there.

 

[Dcherie13]

Looks fine to me....it'll just take time.
Well, one thing...are those cracks letting in a stiff breeze?
Is it cold where you are?
Put your location in your profile?

We are in Charlotte, NC. Cold at night but not sub 0!

 

[Chickassan]

The only thing I see that might help your nest situation is your nesting material looks flat and uninviting. You could try fluffing the nesting material then use your hands and make a "butt dent" in the middle so it looks like a nest in use. You could also try using different materials in a few of your nests straw,leaves,even that pine straw your dom laid in. The problem could be as simple as they disagree with the nesting material.

 

[aart]

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Dcherie13]

The only thing I see that might help your nest situation is your nesting material looks flat and uninviting. You could try fluffing the nesting material then use your hands and make a "butt dent" in the middle so it looks like a nest in use. You could also try using different materials in a few of your nests straw,leaves,even that pine straw your dom laid in. The problem could be as simple as they disagree with the nesting material.

Do you think in addition to bedding material it’s better to use their own eggs in the nest box rather than golf balls?

 

[Chickassan]

Just in my own experience yes,dosent have to be theirs could be store eggs. Just be absolutely sure to mark and keep up with the dummy eggs,don't want to eat those lol! The golf balls never worked on my girls and neither did the ceramic eggs,chickens aren't geniuses but i think they can tell.

Do you think in addition to bedding material it’s better to use their own eggs in the nest box rather than golf balls?