My hens just started laying and they are not using the nest box. The lay wherever. Some times in a pile of poop and sometimes out in the middle of the yard. I collect a couple of times a day so the eggs are not sitting in anything to long , but are the eggs ok if they have been in a pile? I wash them right away but I'm concerned that they are absorbing yuck. I was walking through the yard the other night and stepped on one. Any suggestions on how can i get them to lay in the nest box.
hi there. try locking them in their coop for a day or two. usually does the trick. of course mine laid diligently in the nest boxes until recently when they moved to the hay in the barn. good luck.