New Layer laying eggs on coop floor

[ForFlocksSake]

My Easter Egger laid her first egg 4 days ago inside one of the nesting boxes. Her next egg was on the floor of the coop right below the nesting box so I assumed she was figuring things out and maybe stuck her butt out the wrong way. Today I found another egg smack in the middle of the coop, so Im guessing at this point it's not an accident. The floor she's laying on is plastic, much like the plastic flooring in a dog crate. I don't have any bedding on the floor in there so it's not like she's mistaking it for nesting material. I have three other pullets who have been laying for a while inside the nesting boxes, and also keep wooden eggs in each one. What do I do??

 

[nuthatched]

They may be sticking to her and falling off as she jumps.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

They may be sticking to her and falling off as she jumps.

Is this something they just figure out with time?

 

[TooCheep]

Is this something they just figure out with time?

Generally yes, particularly if they have dummy (or real) eggs in the nests. In my experience, they may lay 1 or 2 outside of the nest, but then figure it out.

How many hens/pullets do you have and how many nest boxes? Also, what type of nesting material are you using?

 

[nuthatched]

Is this something they just figure out with time?

In term of stickage, the bloom dries up on the feathers. The birds don't have much to do with it. But if it's not, hopefully she'll around to laying where she should.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

Generally yes, particularly if they have dummy (or real) eggs in the nests. In my experience, they may lay 1 or 2 outside of the nest, but then figure it out.

How many hens/pullets do you have and how many nest boxes? Also, what type of nesting material are you using?

5 pullets but only 4 have started laying. I have 4 boxes and use pine shavings in them.

 

[TooCheep]

5 pullets but only 4 have started laying. I have 4 boxes and use pine shavings in them.

OK. That is reasonable. If there are too few nest boxes or if they have a spat over a favorite nest box, that can be a problem, but you have plenty. I'd say hay is better than pine shavings for bedding, but that that shouldn't prevent laying there.

At this point, my best thought is to just give it a little more time and see if she adjusts. Good luck.

 

[Sally PB]

I have a pullet who is laying eggs on the floor of the coop. Same place each time. I tried putting boards down on the floor there. She just moved a bit to the side, then scratched bedding over the board. I was afraid she'd start breaking eggs, so I gave in.

I have another pullet who is laying out in the run. Is it because she is caught unawares and it just pops out?

I have 6 birds laying, and their timing is spread throughout the day, most days. I have two nest boxes, both are used, but one is the preferred box. The both have a fake egg. Maybe a second fake egg in each would help....?

Come spring, I will design and build a roll away exterior nest box that will be three boxes wide. Until then, I will just do "egg check" several times a day.

I really hope the floor and run layer will figure things out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If she's only been laying for 4 days it's perfectly normal to have eggs in the wrong place, wrong time, imperfect/oddball eggs, etc. Give her time and generally most birds get themselves oriented without issue.

 

[aart]

Maybe a second fake egg in each would help....?

Maybe, maybe not.
I've used fake eggs(1-2) in all nests from the beginning ans have observed that the first nest used each day often becomes the 'favorite'.