Poop smears on large clutch only

[Abnearn]

I have 4 BSL pullets who started laying 4 mo ago and 3 EE pullets who started laying 2 mo ago. They have 2 nest boxes but only use 1 despite using “seed” or “dummy” eggs in the other box.

If there are up to 4 eggs, they are all pristine and clean. If there are 5+ eggs, most have a little smear of dried poop regardless of who laid it. This happened before EEs joined the flock if eggs weren’t harvested the day before. But now that EEs are contributing to breakfast, there are poop smears every day.

The girls do not poop in the box. They do not roost in - or even near - the boxes. They are all healthy. I rinse the eggs in warm water and wipe them with a paper towel and the poop comes right off. No one has ever gotten sick.

Any ideas?

 

[SebrightMix]

Hmm im not sure @sourland ?

 

[aart]

if eggs weren’t harvested the day before.

All egg should be gathered daily.

 

[Abnearn]

All egg should be gathered daily.

I know that. It’s happened like twice - when my son says, “I’ll get the eggs!” and I don’t double check. I mentioned it to preempt questions about what it was like before the other girls started laying. Thank you though. I will add your voice to mine to emphasize follow through with the eggs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Just a guess - they're tracking poop in from outside or other sections of the coop. Longer the eggs are there, the more poopy little feet might be touching them.

 

[aart]

I know that. It’s happened like twice - when my son says, “I’ll get the eggs!” and I don’t double check. I mentioned it to preempt questions about what it was like before the other girls started laying. Thank you though. I will add your voice to mine to emphasize follow through with the eggs.

Who locks up at night?
That's when I gather the last eggs....and make sure no birds are sleeping in nests.

Just a guess - they're tracking poop in from outside or other sections of the coop. Longer the eggs are there, the more poopy little feet might be touching them.

I was just thinking of poopy feet!