First egg!! But all the wrong places!

[Lulu-vt]

We left town and came back to 3 eggs!! I thought perhaps they’d wait until spring since we are very cold and minimal light here in northern Vermont.

I found one egg on top of the feeder and the other two randomly in the coop. I do have two fake eggs placed in the nesting boxes so they see where it’s supposed to go.

What else can I do to encourage egg laying in the right space. I’ve included a couple of pictures. I was going to put up curtains or some kind of privacy screen but figured they just get gross and dusty so best not to. The hen that I’ve shown in the photo is my smallest box and she’s my biggest hen!

Each box is slightly different in size but approximately 15x15.

 

[sourland]

If you have any hay available, I would put that in the nest boxes. Adding curtains also might help.

 

[aart]

I'd just be patient, it can take time for them to 'get it'.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Our BLK AUS are 2 yrs old and not once have they used the boxes, they like a corner of the coop. Fine with us, just keep laying.

 

[thistlewick]

Those nesting boxes look super cramped and small to me.

 

[Lulu-vt]

If you have any hay available, I would put that in the nest boxes. Adding

Those nesting boxes look super cramped and small to me.

Hmm. Ok. Well hopefully they will use them. I’m not sure I can make them bigger.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Those nesting boxes look super cramped and small to me.

Yeah, I'm afraid the height of the nesting boxes is the problem. Chickens have to stand up to lay an egg.

 

[aart]

Height could be a problem....or not.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Yeah, I'm afraid the height of the nesting boxes is the problem. Chickens have to stand up to lay an egg.

When I made the coop the chickens were a lot smaller!!! I mean, I knew they would grow but they are very robust large chickens now! It’s great for our harsh winters but not so great for my petite boxes!! I’ll see if I can do some remodeling in the spring!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Yeah, I'm afraid the height of the nesting boxes is the problem. Chickens have to stand up to lay an egg.

I agree, those are too short for the hens to stand up and lay