Laying Hens

[ChicksforZ]

what would cause my ladies from not wanting to lay in the nest boxes but simply laying all over on the floor of the coop or in the run? Too hot?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Lots of things cause an upset.

Mites or lice in the nest boxes, to hot, to bright, a predator was in the box, to crowded and I am sure many more things.

 

[50-45-1]

Check the nests for anything that may be disturbing them. Maybe change the bedding and clean throughly. Add a couple golf balls or fake eggs to entice them.
Keep us updated.

 

[aart]

what would cause my ladies from not wanting to lay in the nest boxes but simply laying all over on the floor of the coop or in the run? Too hot?

Did they lay in the nests previously?
Any new birds added recently?
Tell us more about your flock and that might give a clue.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mine will do this....lay just fine in the nest box for weeks... and then for what ever reason, create a new nest somewhere else. If I can get to the new nest, sometimes I let them lay there for a while. If I can't I scratch up the bedding, put something in that spot, and freshen the nest boxes. They generally go back.

If I get a sudden drop in egg production, they almost always have a new nest hid out. Sometimes they can be hard to find. I have gone down on a week-end with a cup of coffee and just waited until someone lays an egg to find the nest.