Pullets chose where to lay. Not in nesting box.

[gclarrot]

I have a lady who laid two weeks before the other. She decided under the roosting bar dropping board, beside the nesting box was a perfectly safe and good place to lay. Naturally, like most ladies..if it’s good enough for her and safe then it must be for me? Mentality kicked in. Now my buff orphington and my only Easter egger that is laying is doing it right there.

How do I kick them out if it? My other Easter egger is definitely scratching up the nesting boxes (and someone else possibly? I have 8 ladies who should be reading the POL).

I’ve attached photos of their nesting boxes (and their fake eggs ) and then their chosen spot.

 

[50-45-1]

Place fake eggs or I use golf balls in each nest box.what are you using as nest box material?
They like to rearrange the bedding which is normal, but if they are scratching through it and scratching it out you may need something else.

 

[50-45-1]

I'm not seeing the nest box photo.

 

[Duckee]

Block the area they are using as nest area. Also, my girls require privacy. I use a cheap window valance curtain, a piece of wood as a rod, and screw/nail it to front of nest box...leaving it a couple inches short on bottom. Hope this helps

 

[gclarrot]

I'm not seeing the nest box photo.

Here they are

 

[aart]

Are they laying on the dropping board or on the floor under it?
Yes, fake egg in nests should help...and some patience.

 

[gclarrot]

Are they laying on the dropping board or on the floor under it?
Yes, fake egg in nests should help...and some patience.

Under it beside the nesting box.

 

[aart]

Under it beside the nesting box.

You may need to block that space off until they get the hang of the nests.
Might be hard to do...a big box maybe.
Definitely put same fakies in the nests.

 

[cmom]

I had a similar issue. I blocked the area off with some wire then they started laying in the nest boxes. I use golf balls in the nest boxes. Most lay in them but once in awhile a pullet will decide to lay elsewhere. Recently I had some pullets that had just started to lay and layed in the nest boxes and then one decided to lay her egg under the nest boxes and of course others started too so I put wire down and now they are back to laying in the nest boxes.

 

[gclarrot]

You may need to block that space off until they get the hang of the nests.
Might be hard to do...a big box maybe.
Definitely put same fakies in the nests.

not entirely sure if it was 70 degrees here today but my EE laid in the nesting box or it was becuase another lady was rooting around in it. The BO still laid in the corner according to my husband. I think i will put a plank over the spot tomorrow AM.