Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[okallthis4eggs]

There is not a doubt in my mind if I let mine free range the egg laying spot of choice would be the peak of the roof on top of the house. Nothing they would like better than watching my reaction as the eggs rolled down the roof and splattered on top of my truck. They are evil little heifers I tell you. So thats not possible since they stay locked in the coop and run . Instead they lay eggs on the poop board. The floor would be fine with me. Nooooooooo....it has to be the poop board. Intentional? You better believe it is.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I thought of adding a chute so the eggs could roll down, into the window, onto the counter...maybe you could do something like that on the roof. When my hens started laying they couldn't lay where I thought they should...where are your nest boxes anyway.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

The nest boxes are 18" off the floor. The poop board is just under the roost which is about 4 feet off the floor. A couple of them use the nest boxes but possibly two of them don't. I snatched the problem child up the other morning and stuck her in the nest box. She laid in the box but I think it was because she couldn't wait any longer. Today I find another egg on the poop board. Can't watch them close enough to pinpoint who all is guilty but I know one of them that is. Its pure meaness.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Naw, they are just young and don't know what to do. Leave the eggs in the nest boxes for them...soon you will have so many eggs you will be giving them away.

 

[animallover505]

Put a lip on both edges on the poop board so the eggs don't roll off and smash!

 

[okallthis4eggs]

I have a hard boiled egg in each nest box. Should I leave more of their eggs in the boxes too. Do you think the bad one will figure it out and start using the nest boxes on her own or is she not likely to change her habit. I hope its just one doing that.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Thanks animallover505 the egg has never rolled off. She lays it in the corner and I keep cardboard on top of the poop board to make cleaning easier. Its just not where I like to find eggs.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Yeh, they are saying - he's boiling our eggs don't lay over there....kidding, one egg is plenty. Can you move a nest box over to that corner? Have a pic of your coop and nest boxes.

 

[okallthis4eggs]

No they are white eggs (store eggs) I boiled and they lay brown eggs. Can I move a nest box over there?.... Yes..... Will I move a nest box over there?.....No and you already know why. They will have it completely full of poop in about 15 minutes. They do stuff for spite. And putting a nest box on top of my poop board would be too much fun for those little rednecks. I was hoping she would realize there is a cleaner and more comfortable place to lay her eggs on her own

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

maybe if you talk nice to them, pet them and tell them what good hens they are, they will respond positively by laying eggs where you want..hahaha
Actually, alot of people say a rooster doesn't have anything to do with the process, but he does. Mine will actually make a nest and sit in it some, making sure it's suitable, then stand guard while the hen lays. Interesting behavior.