Homesteading Chicken Coop Build, Chickens, Pond, Garden & Projects

Got my first egg yesterday. Of course it wasn't very big and it also wasn't in the nesting box. Hopefully they get the idea and fast.

 

Seems like it's quite a relief to get that first egg. I only have two out of 5 laying right now, but I've seen a couple of the other 3 inside nesting boxes recently so I know they are trying. I got some wood eggs off amazon that i've kept in their nesting boxes for a while now and they either did the trick or my chickens are smart. Haven't had an egg show up anywhere but the nesting boxes.

 

Had egg #2 and it was in the same spot. I do see my fake eggs are moved around in the nesting boxes. This chicken must not of gotten the memo.
Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Basically my first layer figured out the nesting box quick then as it seems to go with chickens if one does it then the rest just follow suit. I don't have any suggestions though for correcting that issue, but what are you using for nest box bedding? I found some kind of chopped straw at tractor supply, the bale was WAY more than i wanted but it's really all they had as a decent nest bedding but as it turns out the birds seem to really like it. its basically a finely chopped wheat straw. I've watched them when they are in the boxes, they get comfy in that straw and will pick a bunch up in their mouths and just set it onto their backs for some weird reason. kinda funny to watch. But maybe if you don't have a comfy material in there for them it makes them not want to bed up in it?

 

I have 3 boxes. 2 of them have fine pine shavings in. Its soft. The other has larger shavings. I'll have to try the straw. Which I thought about and should of done from the start.

Like you said, if one does it, the rest follow suit and Im concerned they'll all just start laying at the same spot. The spot she is laying goes against the entire idea of having a more secluded and quiet spot. Its right out in the open.

 

I'm sorta guessing for mine, since i used pine shavings for their actual coop bedding, they may have been a bit more attracted into the nest boxes with the chopped straw. It's easy for them to get into it and form their "nest". There's other material you can try too but I figured if the straw didn't work I'd just use it for coop floor bedding and move on to something else for the nest boxes.

 

Watched a video on youtube and a guy said that if the fake eggs are light, chickens are going to know. He had same issue and put wooden eggs in the boxes, and then they started to use the boxes. I don't have any wooden eggs, so I just put in the eggs that were laid. Yesterday the box was used. So maybe at least one is getting the idea. Hopefully it continues.

 

A friend made me ceramic eggs quite a few years ago, nice and heavy. They worked well. We'll see if they work for the new batch of pullets up and coming.

 

I use wooden eggs i ordered off amazon, i think a 6 pack for 7.99 or something. I saw 2 packs at a big box feed store recently and they were absurdly expensive like 12.99 for TWO. no idea where they came up with that price.

 

Also, here's a good one. Came home last night after being away for a couple days, and checked the coop for eggs. It was night time so I shined the light in there on the roost only seeing 4 birds. I was convinced one was missing. Went in and sure enough only 4. Checked around the whole area, back yard etc. Gave the coop one more sweep then found the 5th up here. Had no idea this was her spot, there was even an egg up there. Thinking I'm gonna block the area off though I don't need it loaded with chicken chit up there or her breaking a leg jumping down.

 

Well the coop has been done but my run isn't complete yet. Someone is slacking and still hasn't put a roof on it.

Yesterday when I got home I found that 2 had flew out of the run. (My fence is only 4' right now until I extend the walls and put a cover on.) So I decided to let all 11 girls go out and range in the yard to see what they would do.
They all came back to the coop and run in stages as it was getting dark.
Today I let them out again to see what will happen. Same results. So I guess I'm free range training now. I plan on putting another automatic door on the run and have it set to open at 10:30 or so in the AM. I figure less chance of predators at that time.

 

The ladies like guys, they can be more suspicious of other ladies. Other ladies rile up the flocks hierarchy. I recently saw on my town FB page where someone took 2 full weeks before being able to let ladies from different backgrounds together and that slow introduction / get-to-know-ya let them integrate well.