Not laying in the nesting box

[sushicat2000]

My 6 mo old silkie is laying, but more often than not the eggs are found in the corner of the girls' run. Is it ok that she is laying her eggs there? How can I prevent this? Thanks! Also sorry! I did not realize that I posted this twice

 

[Chick Charm]

You can alter where they lay. A few suggestions will be to make sure the nest box you are providing is in a nice dark and safe place for the hen to lay. Make sure it low enough. Make sure it is not around the activity of other chickens, cause they like peace and seclusion when laying. Maybe put a golf ball or fake eggs in the nest you want her to lay in.

After doing everything you can please remember some hens just like to lay everywhere but where you want them to.

 

[atira]

I'm still a newbie to raising chickens and I have one who is starting to lay and sometimes when she first laid an egg it was in the feed bowl...then I found some in the open pen area...like she couldn't wait to lay...finally one of the older hens started back up laying and used the nesting box...I have 3 boxes and each one had a golf ball and plastic easter egg in them...She has finally caught on and lays right around 11am everyday now...good luck...

 

[LoveChickens123]

i would try putting plastic eggs in the nesting box for starters!

 

[sushicat2000]

Thanks everyone! Today when I left for work my silkie Fluttershy was in the nesting box. When I got home, her egg was in the run. Is it possible that the more superior chickens are kicking her out? I think she's the lowest in the pecking order.

 

[JanO]

She just might be one of those hens that like laying on the ground. I had one who would lay in the middle of he coop on the ground no matter what. After trying everything I could think of with no results I finally gave up. Obviously it didn't bother her, so I figured it shouldn't bother me. A few months later, when she got broody, she found a spot under some brush at the base of a maple tree and hatched 6 chicks. I searched for her for days before I located her, and then it was by accident while I was cleaning up that secion of the yard.. After the chicks hatched she started laying in the nesting box. Hens are difinatly funny creatures.