my hens bare nest lay

[Ridgerunner]

If you really want to know which ones are laying which egg, try putting some food coloring in the vent each morning. I would not use red since they like to pick at red, but if you put a different color in three of them each day, you should know within a few days which are laying. I'd certainly think the darker one is probably a Welsummer egg but no guarantees.

 

[newchicksnducks]

As all the others have said, yes it is normal for 4 laying hens to only give you 2 eggs on a day. Some will hold out till tomorrow, and some may be on hiatus due to the winter lighting/cold. I had been getting 14 eggs from 15 girls, and now may bet 3-6 on any given day.

You may want to check the construction of your boxes. See if they have a lip coming up from the bottom of the box. This makes it harder for the girls to fling out the shavings when then try to arrange the nest "just right" for their egg laying time. Mine were always kicking/billing out the shavings, DH added a 1 1/2 in higher lip and that has solved that problem They would still rearrange, and I would sometimes end up w/a bare spot...just where they would lay and sometimes "dent" or crack an egg in the process. I solved that by lining the bottom of the box w/corrugated cardboard for some cushioning effect. Just replace when dirty Then I add shavings on top.

I have 4 boxes for my now 13 hens (lost 2 to fox and hawk) Sometimes all boxes will be used, sometimes 4 eggs in one and the others empty...go figure!

 

[Fowl97]

also i heard tht hens lay wher other eggs are becuz they feel more comfortable

 

[GreenGoddess]

First off, let me say

ange.. Second, I have 7 pullets, 3 that I know are definitely laying and they always choose the same two nest boxes (there are 4).. I had mine nice and comfy cozy with pine shavings but through the laying process, i noticed that they would kick most of it out and I have gone out there to two or three eggs and sometimes one or more were cracked.. So, I put another 1x3 across the front of the nest boxes and VIOLA! I have not had any shavings get kicked out and have not since had a single cracked egg! By doing this, I am able to keep about 3 inches of shavings and it gives the eggs plenty of cushion... This may be your solution..

Goddess