They're laying in the chick coop..

[KikiDeAnime]

Despite there being fake dummy eggs in the flock's main coop nesting box, the hens are laying in the empty chick coop. I know it should be closed but I keep it open as some of the pullets and sometimes the cockerels like to hide in there from the older hens during the day.

Haven't seen a single egg in the main nesting box at all. I see them go in there around the time they lay but then they go straight for the chick coop and lay in there. There's no nesting box at all in there, just a sleeping spot.

They had recently started doing this once the cooler weather hit.
I'm not going to close the chick coop so please don't suggest that. I keep it open for the pullets and cockerels to hide in there.

Will they go back to laying in the main nesting box soon or should I force it and risk them not laying at all in there??

 

[ValerieJ]

Have you tried putting fake eggs in the nest box? Is the reason you don't want them to lay in the chicken coop because they end up giving you dirty eggs? I don't care where my hens lay as long as I can find the eggs and they aren't laying in the same place they are pooping. A couple of my girls never lay in a nest box, but they have built a little nest in the straw on the coop floor. They keep it clean, so it's fine with me.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Have you tried putting fake eggs in the nest box? Is the reason you don't want them to lay in the chicken coop because they end up giving you dirty eggs? I don't care where my hens lay as long as I can find the eggs and they aren't laying in the same place they are pooping. A couple of my girls never lay in a nest box, but they have built a little nest in the straw on the coop floor. They keep it clean, so it's fine with me.

In the beginning of my post, I said there were fake eggs in there.
And I don't mind them laying in the baby chick's coop but I fear that the pullets or cockerels may get trapped in there and get attacked if a hen goes to lay in there while they're in there.

 

[ValerieJ]

In the beginning of my post, I said there were fake eggs in there.

Oh. So you did.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Hmm... is all the bedding removed from the chick pen? And maybe place some stones on the bottom of the chick coop floor to deter laying?

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Hmm... is all the bedding removed from the chick pen? And maybe place some stones on the bottom of the chick coop floor to deter laying?

I don't mind them laying in there. I'm just a little confused on why they're laying in there and if they'll go back to laying in the main coop

 

[HuffleClaw]

I don't mind them laying in there. I'm just a little confused on why they're laying in there and if they'll go back to laying in the main coop

Ohhh, they’re probably laying in there because its cooler.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Ohhh, they’re probably laying in there because its cooler.

Yeah as long as they're laying, it doesn't really matter which coop they lay in. I just would prefer the main coop for them to lay in since it's off the ground.

 

[aart]

Did this just start or...?
What do the main nests look like...pics might help.
Did you change something with the main nests?
Even new bedding can trigger the 'we hate change' button.

Is there a way to confine them to the main coop and away from the baby coop?

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Is there a way to confine them to the main coop and away from the baby coop?

I can't confine them there. I did that before and they all fought with each other so I'm not risking that again. We nearly lost a hen because of the fighting.