laying in boxes backward

[Cogs]

Hi, I'm new to caring for Chickens and I really enjoy them. I visit BYC all the time. I don't see any post about chickens laying in their boxes backward! Thus, the eggs land outside of the box half the time. Barred Rocks and RIR are 6 months old so they, too, are new to this. Are the boxes not private enough? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Put a larger lip on the boxes so that their butt does not stick up over the edge.

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What sourland said-

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome!

 

[gander007]

First things first

Glad you joined us as we enjoy new faces ......
The laying box should have four sides and the front should be a lip of at
least three to four inches to keep the egg's in and yes a lot of chickens
face inward as there is a lot on their minds and in deep concentration.....

gander007

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello Welcome to BYC and Happy Holidays! X4 what sourland said, you probably need deeper boxes, I like a 4-6" lip. Is it always happening at the same box? If they can't get in a favorite box because somebody else is in it, sometimes a hen will sit on the edge and lay from there. You could try posting pictures of your boxes in the Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying forum.

 

[drumstick diva]

If it's the favorite laying nest box, other chickens impatient to use it, will often lay an egg on top of the current resident- so it will fall out. Nobody has accused chickens of being Mensa members.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Hi and

Haha yes I agree with the other advice. We have our nesting areas (they're not technically boxes) at ground level, so nothing has a chance of falling out.
Perhaps they just like it dark when they're laying so they face inwards.

Good luck!

 

[petrel]

Welcome to BYC.