Why do my chickens lay eggs on the floor?

[FarmerChic]

We currently have 26 hens and 10 nesting boxes (of which only 2-3 get used for laying). Daily I will find a few eggs on the floor and I wad wondering if we need more nesting boxes or if they need to be bigger or what?

 

[Kevin565]

With that many chickens I would try adding more nest boxes to see if the problem stops.

 

[mrsc1951]

When my girls first started laying, they always used the nesting boxes but now they mostly use the floor - all 5 use the same spot. I'm just not sure about the chicken psychology. LOL They are happy and the eggs are safe and easily retriveable. Oh, come to think about it, I believe the floor thing started when my little bantam went broody. No other ideas.

 

[FarmerChic]

Ah yes, the broody factor None of our hens are broody, I will try adding more nesting boxes. Thank you both!

 

[KimKimWilliamso]

Two of my four pullets started laying at the beginning of this month. I didnt have a nesting box in the coop all this time as I thought not having one would be easier than trying to cover one to prevent them from sleeping in it. But when the laying started, I put in a nesting box. But the little buggers are still laying on the floor, in the shavings in a daily made "nest". Have I ruined them forever? Will they ever stop? Im worried they will get crushed there as they root around in there in the AM while they wait for me to come let them out.

 

[devora]

To the OP, I'm not sure you need any new boxes! Are your boxes inviting? Deep and dark and padded? Do you have a wooden egg in each one? As you've already stated, they only use a few of them so I'm not sure how more will solve your problem.

When they begin laying they can be a tad clutzy about it.

I take my birds that don't lay correctly and put them in the nest and rub the wooden egg on their breasts. I put the wooden egg under them.

 

[FarmerChic]

I will also have to try the wooden egg trick. They always only used a couple of the boxes so I will try leaving a wooden egg in each box for a while and see if anything changes. Other than that the nesting boxes are inviting. I.keep them clean and padded with shavings, they are dark, and will be darker again when I replace their curtains. That should do it!