jill the potter Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Sorry, didn't know which section to put this in - Chickens; Eggs; or Runs as it concerns all three!!! I have a problem with Barbara who doesn't seem to know that she needs to lay in the nest box where it is warm, safe, dark, and with soft landing for eggs!! Since she started laying last week we have had a total of seven eggs laid in the WIR. I'm surprised none of them have broken as the run is on paving slabs, and although they are covered in wood chips it's still a hard surface. Perhaps they've not broken because they always seem to land in a great pile of poo!!!! Does anyone have any suggestions - do you think she will always do this - is there any way to encourage her to lay in the nest box? or am I just Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 A couple of golf balls or fake eggs left in the nestbox for a few days often does the trick Many hens will avoid a nest box if there is mite in there so just have a quick check for nasties too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I'd put a few alternative nesting boxes in the WIR. Things like vegetable racks, shallow tub trugs, cardboard boxes with the fronts cut out, even old car tyres they just love. I'm afraid they lay where they want at first! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 one of mine did that for about week and then followed suit with the others, i agree i would a little someting in the coop for her to peck, but she should start going to the coop like mine did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I think they get taken by surprise at first so just lay where they stand. I'm sure she will soon get the hang of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 A couple of golf balls or fake eggs left in the nestbox for a few days often does the trick Many hens will avoid a nest box if there is mite in there so just have a quick check for nasties too THat worked for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Our youngest, nando, just started laying last week, there have been eggs laid in the run, exactely as if she was taken by surprise, must be a huge shock!! I have a wooden egg that I used for our first chickens, since then I expect she will learn by seeing the others go and lay in the nest box... Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 Don't think it's red mite as they all go in the eglu at night and Margot has been laying in there no problem. Will try putting some sort of nest box in the run and I have a marble egg I could try..... Thanks for your suggestions folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Tried putting another nest box in and guess what - another egg in the run yesterday, but this time the little blighters had eaten it To add insult to injury collected Margot's egg from the eglu, put it in my pocket, got waylaid on the way back to the kitchen, lent over the garden table and squished the bloomin' thing!!! No eggs for brekkie today This morning OH saw Barbara go into eglu so we thought she had got the message, but no, 20 minutes later there was an egg in the run - just hope they don't get a taste for them - we're going to have to be quick in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Rhode Island Red Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Keep trying...they'll soon cop on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Guess what? This morning I found an egg in the nest box..not unusual I first thought but then realised that it couldn't be Margot's egg - hers are very smooth and very shiney..this was not. 1 hour later when the very smooth and shiney egg appeared it was evident that the first egg must have been Barbara's - her first to be laid in the nest box Oh I feel we are on a roll. Hopefully not far off a 3 egg day!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Well done Barbara Still waiting in anticipation for my lot to start on Feb 14th in the nestbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
