Odd Egg Question

[ZeeAviatrix]

Leaves might help, as might some fake eggs.
But first, let's make sure your nests are easy to get into/out of and of adequate size.
Have they 'examined' or used the nests at all?
Would you post pics of nests?

Hello, aart,
In answer to your questions, yes, they do use the nesting boxes, but not always. Too, I have posted pictures for you to tell me what you think. Thanks!

 

[rebrascora]

Your nest boxes appear to be quite out in the open. Hens usually like a darker, quiet, out of the way place to lay. Some people find putting curtains on their nest boxes helps make them seem more secluded. A piece of feed bag stapled across the top so that it hangs a couple of inches short of the nest box lip is easy enough to do to see if it makes a difference.
I would guess that under the tree is a bit more shaded and therefore more attractive to them. You may find that they start getting more creative about where they hide them as they get into the swing of it. My Marans are driving me crazy at the moment with their egg hunt game!

 

[aart]

Thinks the nest perch is too small and too far away from nest entrance.
Try a 2x2 about 8" in front of nest at same level as nest entrance.
Front lip could be higher, add an inch or two for a 4-6" height.
Curtains might help too.

 

[ZeeAviatrix]

Your nest boxes appear to be quite out in the open. Hens usually like a darker, quiet, out of the way place to lay. Some people find putting curtains on their nest boxes helps make them seem more secluded. A piece of feed bag stapled across the top so that it hangs a couple of inches short of the nest box lip is easy enough to do to see if it makes a difference.
I would guess that under the tree is a bit more shaded and therefore more attractive to them. You may find that they start getting more creative about where they hide them as they get into the swing of it. My Marans are driving me crazy at the moment with their egg hunt game!

OK, great! Didn't know they liked to be in a darker, quiet place. I will definitely try hanging something over the front to make it more cozy for them. Thanks so much!

 

[ZeeAviatrix]

Thinks the nest perch is too small and too far away from nest entrance.
Try a 2x2 about 8" in front of nest at same level as nest entrance.
Front lip could be higher, add an inch or two for a 4-6" height.
Curtains might help too.

Excellent! I've got the materials - will do and will let you know if it helps. Thanks so much! What about the odd eggs? One is soft, one has too much calcium, one is perfect. Should I try a different laying mash?

 

[aart]

Feed looks ok, if it's fairly fresh and you're not giving a bunch of treats.
Cut out that corn and see what happens, give it a least a week or two.
New layers have glitches, assuming they are young and new at laying....
.....too lazy/tired to read back that carefully.

 

[ZeeAviatrix]

Feed looks ok, if it's fairly fresh and you're not giving a bunch of treats.
Cut out that corn and see what happens, give it a least a week or two.
New layers have glitches, assuming they are young and new at laying....
.....too lazy/tired to read back that carefully.

Sorry to bother you during the holiday season - Merry Christmas to you! I will give them only the laying mash and tiny bits of treats and I will give it a week or two. They have been laying for about 3 months. Only recently have I started to have some odd looking eggs. One of them appears to be barely molting - that might have something to do with it as well. Thanks!