Cube mk2 and WIR

[Martin757]

I have 2 chickens  quite young,  a  Sussex and a  bluebelle, that i thought was a Sussex.

A few days ago they stopped  using the nest box and started to lay direct from the roost,  leading to  cracked or  smashed  eggs.

I have laid extra hay underneath where they roost,  BUT I'd much rather they used the nest  boxes instead.

Its  only one  hen doing this, the other  didnt  start to lay yet 

Anyone got any  help of  advise on how to achieve this???

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by Martin757

[Beantree]

We had the same problem during the night and it almost stopped after we electrified the enclosure. We think they were being disturbed by foxes. However one still lays on the floor, despite using lovely soft moss in the nest box. She also lays during the night and to avoid broken eggs we covered the floor with shavings and laid feed bags on top. This acts as a cushion, so her eggs don't break on impact. Can't get her to lay in the nest box at all.

[Martin757]

Thanks Beantree, Im going to make a chickenwire  tray to hang under the roosts to stop  breakage

and lets hope they see sense soon  The nest boxes are full of  good  fresh  hay   

[Cat tails]

Have a good look at the nestboxes. If any creepy crawlies live in there, your hens won’t want to lay in there. 

[Martin757]

Done,   its  fresh    hay  from the  farm down the road    plus i sprayed for  mites  just in case  although very 

rare in winter  But thanks for the thought 

[Cat tails]

My vet actually told me he has seen a surprising amount of cats with fleas right now. So never say never. But clearly your madams are well taken care of. Hope they get back to the nest box soon!