My chickens are throwing their nesting materials out of their nests?

[mildred and perry]

I have one dominate chicken and recently got three new hens. The previous owners said they were laying but I have had them for two weeks and I have not got an egg. They go into the nests and throw out all the straw. This has left my dominate hen who lays everyday laying in empty nests... anyone have any ideas?

thanks.

 

[Chirpy]

They should start laying again pretty soon. Chickens get stressed when moved an will often take a while before they start to lay again.

Chickens love to redecorate their nest boxes! Mine toss most of the shavings out before it's "just right" for them to lay their eggs in. Then, they end up laying their eggs on the hard floor of the box. It's just a chicken thing. I did put up a 2" board across the front of the nest boxes so that some of the shavings stays in. They just pile it up against that board to uncover the bare floor.

 

[debilorrah]

I too recently moved chickens to our home. Layed the first week, then one egg the sedcond week and now 1 egg this week. What are ya gonna do but wait?

 

[al6517]

Mine also kick out the straw, I still don't know why but soon i will refuse to waste the hay and they can have thier hard nest if they want. then after a few months i may try again.

 

[panner123]

When they kick out the nest box material, watch and see if they are building a nest on the floor. I have one group of hens that refuse to lay any where but on the floor. These are also theones that are constantly broody. Five are on the fourth nest of the year. Whenb the eggs hatch, I don't have to worry about the chicks falling out of the nest and getting hurt.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

My girls do the same thing and an egg even gets cracked occasionally from hitting the hard wood. I am contemplating sewing some cushie pads to put in the bottom of the nests that they can't kick out.