Suddenly laying in yard

[Chollister6]

Good Afternoon BYC!!!!

I have 5 pullets all 30 weeks. As far as I know I only have 1 layer. She was laying so well 1 egg a day for almost a month and always in the same nesting box. Then last week for a few days she laid on the coop floor and now she just doesn't care and is laying in the middle of the yard. No nest is made, it isn't hidden just out in the open... My only thought is maybe the eggs are now sneaking up on her like it just falls out? Idk if that's possible. Someone is nesting in the nesting boxes because I put new bedding in there and it was made into a nest but no egg. I do have 2 other girls now squatting but I don't think they have laid yet. It just makes no sense to me.

 

[Justso]

What breed hen?
And you have more than one box? Not that it would matter, they all seem to use the same one, don't they!
I would get a ceramic egg or two and try putting in different boxes. If you have only one box, add another. You may entice her to return to the box. Could be she's intimidated by one or more of the squatters.
It could be, too, that she's just young and unaware, or there's an outside chance this is physical.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

What breed hen?
And you have more than one box? Not that it would matter, they all seem to use the same one, don't they!
I would get a ceramic egg or two and try putting in different boxes. If you have only one box, add another. You may entice her to return to the box. Could be she's intimidated by one or more of the squatters.
It could be, too, that she's just young and unaware, or there's an outside chance this is physical.

 

[Chollister6]

What breed hen?
And you have more than one box? Not that it would matter, they all seem to use the same one, don't they!
I would get a ceramic egg or two and try putting in different boxes. If you have only one box, add another. You may entice her to return to the box. Could be she's intimidated by one or more of the squatters.
It could be, too, that she's just young and unaware, or there's an outside chance this is physical.

She is a Black Sexlink and I have 2 nesting boxes. The other girls that are squatting don't seem interested in the nesting boxes yet. I'm not sure if that matters.

 

[Justso]

We'll, maybe she's just young. I'd start with the ceramic eggs. And maybe plunk her in there with them so she sees them. Hopefully she just needs training.

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

We'll, maybe she's just young. I'd start with the ceramic eggs. And maybe plunk her in there with them so she sees them. Hopefully she just needs training.

X2 to the ceramic eggs, they work!

 

[WindingRoad]

Good Afternoon BYC!!!!

I have 5 pullets all 30 weeks. As far as I know I only have 1 layer. She was laying so well 1 egg a day for almost a month and always in the same nesting box. Then last week for a few days she laid on the coop floor and now she just doesn't care and is laying in the middle of the yard. No nest is made, it isn't hidden just out in the open... My only thought is maybe the eggs are now sneaking up on her like it just falls out? Idk if that's possible. Someone is nesting in the nesting boxes because I put new bedding in there and it was made into a nest but no egg. I do have 2 other girls now squatting but I don't think they have laid yet. It just makes no sense to me.

You might have to coop her up for an few days so she has no other alternative but to lay in the box. Feed her in the morning, make sure she eats well, and has a drink you can leave a small container of water up there for her. Let her out for only short periods of time. And if she lays in the nest box and you know it's her she's the only one up. Praise her for that. I praise my chickens when I catch them laying an egg.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

You might have to coop her up for an few days so she has no other alternative but to lay in the box. Feed her in the morning, make sure she eats well, and has a drink you can leave a small container of water up there for her. Let her out for only short periods of time. And if she lays in the nest box and you know it's her she's the only one up. Praise her for that. I praise my chickens when I catch them laying an egg.

I don’t think you’d have to lock your hens up for a “few days” just to get them to lay in the nest box. Try using some fake eggs or even golf balls and see how that goes.

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

You might have to coop her up for an few days so she has no other alternative but to lay in the box. Feed her in the morning, make sure she eats well, and has a drink you can leave a small container of water up there for her. Let her out for only short periods of time. And if she lays in the nest box and you know it's her she's the only one up. Praise her for that. I praise my chickens when I catch them laying an egg.

I praise mine, too! Lol and I thank them while collecting eggs, in a sing-song voice. No neighbors live near enough to hear me but the goats probably think I'm a nutty owner.

 

[WindingRoad]

I praise mine, too! Lol and I thank them while collecting eggs, in a sing-song voice. No neighbors live near enough to hear me but the goats probably think I'm a nutty owner.

Ha, every time I put mine to bed I tap my fingers outside the coop below the nests. And say, "Good night my babies. Two eggs in the morning if you can. Love you babies" And I don't care if the neighbors hear me or not. LOL. I got 2 3/4 eggs today. One of my SLW is laying, Thelma. She lays a 40-50 gram egg. Just started this week. Third egg from her. My BO and ISAB lay in the high 60 gram region.