Chickens moving “egg” HELP

[corose22]

Hello! I have five hens that have just started laying eggs as of the past few weeks. I have been keeping an egg or a ping pong ball in the nesting box to show them where to lay - but every time I go out there it’s moved out of the nesting box!! It isn’t another person or animal that has touched them, it has to be the chickens. Any idea why they wouldn’t want it in there? Or how to stop it from happening? None of the hens are broody or anything. They have been sleeping in the nesting box, which is a habit I’m trying to break by moving them on to the roosts every evening - could that be why? They also have removed most if not all of the hay I put in the boxes. Thanks for the input!!

 

[GlicksChicks]

My hens have done the same thing. Moved fake eggs to their favorite nesting boxes as if to tell other hens to only lay in the preferred nesting box.

If you want this to stop happening I would suggest that you make it harder for them to move them from box to box, by putting barriers that they can't roll the eggs over.

 

[corose22]

My hens have done the same thing. Moved fake eggs to their favorite nesting boxes as if to tell other hens to only lay in the preferred nesting box.

If you want this to stop happening I would suggest that you make it harder for them to move them from box to box, by putting barriers that they can't roll the eggs over.

Okay, thank you! They always move them to a random spot under the roosts though, not usually in a specific “laying” spot, if that makes sense? As if they just want them out of the nesting box…

 

[GlicksChicks]

Okay, thank you! They always move them to a random spot under the roosts though, not usually in a specific “laying” spot, if that makes sense? As if they just want them out of the nesting box…

There is a chance they know that those eggs are fake. They can be smart like that. Somedays I go in the coop and all the fake eggs are in one nest, some days I go in there and they are on the floor.

 

[fluffycrow]

Most females are not fooled by fake eggs; some just choose to tolerate them. If they've learned to use the nest boxes, it might be time to say goodbye to the ping-pong balls. There's really no reason for them to be there anymore.

Throwing out the hay is not a very common behaviour. I have a couple who do that. They might be trying to forage for bits and pieces in the hay, potentially throwing it the ping-pong balls in the process as well. Might be time to consider other nesting material options for your birds, if it becomes a big issue

 

[corose22]

Thank you both!! Unfortunately they also do with real eggs if one is laid in there or if I have put one in there. Not all of them are laying yet so I was hoping to get them to lay in the nesting box. The weird thing is, at first the chicken laying consistently laid eggs in the box and now she doesn’t… not sure why?

 

[GlicksChicks]

Thank you both!! Unfortunately they also do with real eggs if one is laid in there or if I have put one in there. Not all of them are laying yet so I was hoping to get them to lay in the nesting box. The weird thing is, at first the chicken laying consistently laid eggs in the box and now she doesn’t… not sure why?

She may have stopped because the other chickens are kicking the eggs out and she has seen them moved to the areas they move the eggs to.

They have gotten it into their head that the place the eggs are moved to is the laying zone.

 

[corose22]

Okay! That makes sense! Any suggestions on how to remedy the situation? I can probably figure something out though

 

[fluffycrow]

Thank you both!! Unfortunately they also do with real eggs if one is laid in there or if I have put one in there. Not all of them are laying yet so I was hoping to get them to lay in the nesting box. The weird thing is, at first the chicken laying consistently laid eggs in the box and now she doesn’t… not sure why?

Sounds like the eggs are getting tossed with the hay. Trying nesting material that is not so easily tossed out of the nest box, and doesn't look like a good place to forage might work better for you



@Debbie292d I remember you used something your hens couldn't throw out when I asked you about my problem girl?

 

[GlicksChicks]

Okay! That makes sense! Any suggestions on how to remedy the situation? I can probably figure something out though

Try to find a way to keep them from moving the eggs out of the nest. A picture of your setup could be helpful to solve the problem.

As for the nesting material being thrown out, I would suggest purchasing some nest pads. I can attach a link to the nesting pads I purchased from Amazon if you'd like.