One hen laying from roost

[john/sue]

I have 10 red sex-linked chickens that have been laying for about 3 weeks. They are all laying, but one of them for some reason won't lay in one of the nest boxes, but prefers to lay while sitting on the roost. Needless to say, the egg always lands in the you know what.

Any way to break the habit?

 

[scooter147]

Is she doing this during the day?

I occasionaly find and egg in the morning on the dropping board but I don't think I have ever had one lay while sitting on the roost during the day.

 

[rancher hicks]

I'm sure I've had a couple of those. If you haven't put some wooden eggs in the nest box and then put her in it. I would do this a few times maybe she'll get the idea. You could decorate the nest box with some fancy lace and frilly things. (just kidding of course.) Put a sign up that says lay it here with an arrow pointing into the nest box.

 

[cmom]

I agree. I put a golf ball in each of my nest boxes.

 

[john/sue]

All of the other hens lay in the nest boxes. It's not that she's laying during the day -- when I went to let them all out this morning, I had 10 eggs (one for each I assume) -- 9 in the boxes, 1 under the roost. So, she must be seeing the other laying in the boxes. Is this one just dumb? Is there a way I can break this habit?