oldbird Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Have found that for about a week or so, when I open pophole first thing in the morning, someone has laid an egg on the perches, rather than in the nest box. Have been able to rescue the egg so far, apart from this morning - when I should think in rush to get out, the egg has been kicked through the bars & broken in poo tray. Expect what's happening is that dominant chook is sitting/sleeping in nest box & not letting anyone else have a go. Has anyone else had this problem & is there a solution do you think? Seems such a shame for lovely eggs to be wasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I suppose you could put something in the nesting box at night to stop the hen sleeping in there. You'd then need to get up super early to remove the block so that your hens can get in there to lay. Fortunately mine don't lay until later in the day. The other thing you could do is put a good layer of bedding in the droppings tray so if an egg does fall through it should have a soft landing. Not much help I'm afraid. Hope it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 The same thing happened to us the other day, one of the girls had laid an egg and it'd gone through the slats to the dropping dray and had broken en-route. We just put it down to them getting their bearings and being new etc, we've only had them a week and a day now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I suppose you could put something in the nesting box at night to stop the hen sleeping in there. You'd then need to get up super early to remove the block so that your hens can get in there to lay. Fortunately mine don't lay until later in the day. The other thing you could do is put a good layer of bedding in the droppings tray so if an egg does fall through it should have a soft landing. Not much help I'm afraid. Hope it works out. No that's a good idea Chicken Bark, thanks hun will put an extra layer of bedding into the poo tray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbird Posted September 9, 2010 Author Share Posted September 9, 2010 Thanks Chicken Bark - will also try putting some straw on poo tray to cushion any possible falls. Have had chickens for 3 months now & this has only just started happening so expect they are having some sort of battle for a change in the pecking order or something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtie14 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I think the idea of putting something in the nestbox in the evening should do the trick. I seem to remember someone recommending a football! As darkness is falling much earlier these days you should be ok to quietly creep down at about 10pm and take the ball out, ready for next day. Once you've broken the habit, it should hopefully stick. Otherwise you find the hen will poo in the nestbox, which isn't very nice for the other ladies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I think the idea of putting something in the nestbox in the evening should do the trick. I seem to remember someone recommending a football!As darkness is falling much earlier these days you should be ok to quietly creep down at about 10pm and take the ball out, ready for next day. Once you've broken the habit, it should hopefully stick. Otherwise you find the hen will poo in the nestbox, which isn't very nice for the other ladies. Oh now that's another good idea Burtie, thanks! I've noticed some mornings we get poo in the nest box, which I clear straight away and put fresh bedding in for the girls - does that put them off laying an egg? (Sorry if it's yet another daft question ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie9946 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 my hen Hannah, is my worst, she lays her eggs in the Guinea pigs bed. And I have 4 nest boxes for her to choose from. Go figure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtie14 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I've noticed some mornings we get poo in the nest box, which I clear straight away and put fresh bedding in for the girls - does that put them off laying an egg? (Sorry if it's yet another daft question ) The fresh bedding won't put them off! They'll love it. But you don't want to be clearing the poop out every day, and changing their bedding. They probably won't mind laying an egg if there's a little bit of poop in there, but it's nicer for them if it's a rarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicChick Posted September 14, 2010 Share Posted September 14, 2010 Hi This is happening to me also. I plan to get up early tomorrow to see if I can get to the egg in time. The more dominant hen hasnt started laying yet and I think she gets the nesting area overnight. I will follow the advice given so far and hopefully they will learn. Is it worth putting a fake egg into the nest area so they can learn where to lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
