My EE is not laying in the nest box

[cmom]

I use golf balls. Years ago I used spanish moss but now I use pine shavings in the nest boxes.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Hmmm, looking at your photo, the first thing I thought was "not enough privacy". Maybe try covering one on top and see what she thinks. Also try a golf ball or ceramic eggs to encourage her to lay in the nest box. Be patient, she'll get the idea.

 

[cmom]

I’m new to chicken raising and My EE Hazel is having some trouble. She laid her 4th egg today and none have been in the nest box. The first day she laid she was very nervous and agitated for an hour or so. I was outside the whole time, went around the side of the house for a few minutes and when I came back there was her egg in the run, dirty of course. Next time she laid a little softer shell egg on the coop floor bedding (which is the same height as the nest boxes- we have a raised floor coop), again dirty. Yesterday I was cleaning out the coop and she was up there pacing around but never staying in one box. One of the middle-of-the-pack hens came up and was poking at her every time she went into any nest box at all. This other hen is also laying but didn’t lay that day and I think it was just more of a bullying thing. I was keeping an eye on it and was going to move the bully hen out and let Hazel have the place to herself to do her business, but I turned around to put some poo in a bucket and when I turned around there was her egg. Literally that quickly. Today the egg was in the run again where she laid it the first time,not at all hidden. Any suggestions? I’m worried that with her eggs out in the open they will start getting eaten by curious flock mates. For reference I have 3 nest boxes for 11 hens (could possibly add a 4th and 5th on the other side of the coop). I know 5 are laying possibly 6. They have an attached covered run and a 25x25 pen. They are fed layer feed and let out in the afternoon to free range. I have been keeping them in the run/pen longer because I don’t want to find eggs all over the place and I want them all to get used to laying in the nest boxes. The nest boxes are kept clean, I check for eggs multiple times a day, and they are pest free. More privacy maybe?

All birds are different. I have an occasional floor layer even though I have golf balls in every nest box. I have some nest boxes that are more enclosed and some that are more open. I have one large community nest box in a coop that 3 or 4 birds can fit into comfortably. Your bully could be affecting her. I have had that happen in the past. I took the bully to an auction. I don't free range anymore because of losses from predators. My birds were discovered. My birds all have nice safe large pens. Three nest boxes are fine for your birds. Depending on the breeds they can lay 4 to 6 eggs weekly. They can lay every day but most birds take at least a day or two off most weeks. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Chad Oftedal]

Thanks! So many new things to learn. I’m interested in these egg wipes...where did you get them? Do you have to refrigerate the eggs after using? I’ve never had any really dirty eggs, just a smudge here and there that my OCD needs to get cleaned off lol. I don’t wash the eggs and would prefer to not have to refrigerate if possible.

The ones that I got are called Germisept Poultry wipes. I found them on Amazon, (4x100) count pack. For whatever reason, the Amazon page for them right now brings up a 404 error. Probably something with Amazon's listing? At any rate, they're a soft moistened wipe, and they've worked well for me.

I actually refrigerate all my eggs, washed or not. Mainly, just because it's easier storage for me - I use these stackable 35 count plastic holders that I picked up. But, to your point, yes, if you wash them, you're wiping off the protective bloom, and from what I've always read, once that's gone, you want to refrigerate them.

 

[SconnieChickens]

I have 10 hens that are over a year old that have been laying right along, and one of them, an EE, frequently lays anywhere at random, like a young pullet that gets taken by surprise! I have found her eggs in the coop at different places on the floor, as well as outside, in the run, but usually quite near the coop, as if she was headed to the nests but just didn't quite make it. I don't know what her problem is. Just one of those things, I guess. Could she be a sister to your hen, I wonder???

That’s exactly what it seems like- that she didn’t know what was happening and it just kinda popped out. I have others that sit in the nest box forever (not broody just taking their time) but I’ve never even seen her in there. She does not dawdle that’s for sure

 

[aart]

The ones that I got are called Germisept Poultry wipes.

What are the ingredients?

I’m interested in these egg wipes...where did you get them? Do you have to refrigerate the eggs after using? I’ve never had any really dirty eggs, just a smudge here and there that my OCD needs to get cleaned off lol. I don’t wash the eggs and would prefer to not have to refrigerate if possible.

I don't trust any 'wipe' to fully clean an egg...could possible make it 'germier'. Just like I don't use 'hand sanitizer' except for 70% rubbing alcohol during these covid times. Too much microbiology classes while working in a a biological clean room for 20 years.
Either leave it as is....or wash it thoroughly then refrigerate.


I don't wash eggs unless they are very dirty, then will refrigerate or use immediately because thorough washing will remove all the protective bloom(cuticle).

Eggs should be washed in 'water warmer than the egg'.

Simple physics, using colder water will cause the egg contents to contract, causing any 'germs' on exterior surface of egg shell to be pulled into the interior of egg thru the shell pores. Using warmer water will do the opposite.

I don't use any soap or other cleaning/sanitizing agent, just rotate in my hands to 'scrub' all surfaces area of egg shell. Then I air and towel dry before placing in the fridge.

If you are washing eggs for sale to the general public, other requirements may apply, so check your state regulations.

 

[cmom]

If you wash your eggs, wash them in warm water. I don't wash my eggs unless they are dirty. I do keep the nest boxes clean so most of the eggs are clean. I do refrigerate them because I sell most of my eggs. The eggs I wash go into a carton for the house. Here the state requires them to be refrigerated if they are to sell.

 

[Chad Oftedal]

What are the ingredients?

I don't trust any 'wipe' to fully clean an egg...could possible make it 'germier'. Just like I don't use 'hand sanitizer' except for 70% rubbing alcohol during these covid times. Too much microbiology classes while working in a a biological clean room for 20 years.
Either leave it as is....or wash it thoroughly then refrigerate.


I don't wash eggs unless they are very dirty, then will refrigerate or use immediately because thorough washing will remove all the protective bloom(cuticle).

Eggs should be washed in 'water warmer than the egg'.

Simple physics, using colder water will cause the egg contents to contract, causing any 'germs' on exterior surface of egg shell to be pulled into the interior of egg thru the shell pores. Using warmer water will do the opposite.

I don't use any soap or other cleaning/sanitizing agent, just rotate in my hands to 'scrub' all surfaces area of egg shell. Then I air and towel dry before placing in the fridge.

If you are washing eggs for sale to the general public, other requirements may apply, so check your state regulations.

Yeah, I don't hardly wash mine either unless it's pretty bad. Most of the time they're used right after I wipe them down. Sometimes if I have a bit of time, I'll process all the ones that need washing, and they get their own carton so I remember to use them first.

I haven't considered selling them as I don't get enough extra to make it worthwhile, and then it gets too close to the line of no longer being a hobby.

Below is a picture I snapped of the ingredients label. They're made in Newport, CA.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

OK this is old, but was it fixed?
I am having the same problems.
Is she the one in the pic?
What color does she lay?