[omnipeasant]

My chooks have begun to lay eggs (What did you think I meant Tizaala!  ) But one is still laying in the wood shed, another lays on the path and I caught one sneaking behind a bush today. What is wrong with my laying box. It is an ex rabbit hutch, blanked off at one side for privacy and nice strw in it. No mites I've checked.

[northfifeduckling]

mine are the same - have been driving me bananas since May! Whenever I empty a nest they find another after 1 day laying in the nesting boxes. It may be their way of telling me that they want to go broody their way ? It will be a battle of wills and gathering skill or maybe they'll give up once it gets colder. there's hope 

[omnipeasant]

The one who lays in the woodshed is okay, I have left one egg for her ( drew a smily face on it so I know which to leave) but the one on the path I don't think she even sits to let it out as it is usually dented. I will leave another egg behind the bush and see if I get a repeat layer there. Have you tried leaving an egg in one place nfduckling?

[Sylvia]

China or plastic eggs will work too, leave about 3 or 4. I think they can count if any less

[northfifeduckling]

oh, yes, marble ones, empty shells, mustard eggs (in case they were robbed by a sister hen) and real ones - my hens are nomads unless completely left alone. The first nest I emptied had 37 !!!!!!!!!! eggs. 

[tizaala]

Was up your way a few days ago getting free chooks off freecycle, 40 x 14 mnth old freerangers, wormed and vaxed, already picking up loads of eggs,
Is your nest box facing the right way for them ? keep them shut in untill 11 am , they should have layed by then in the nest box, they must get into a routine with the laying in the same place .
Left under the bush will atract rats.
 
( No problem getting layed here dear )

[WarescotFarm]

Ours lay all over as well.
Now they don't get let out of their coop with run attached until they have laid, or lunchtime whichever comes first
I once found a nest of 16 eggs laid by my RIR behind a gate, not broody though - they are nuttas!

[northfifeduckling]

tiz, I had an exchange with a freecycler recently (or was it on Scotpets  ), that wasn't you by any chance  (I offered my drake and then withdrew the offer as I'm rubbish at sexing ducks  )
The nest box was absolutely fine for 2 years up to this summer when they discovered freedom all round...I'm not 100 % sure if an egg eating problem still exists, so won't shut them in for now til late. The hospital/prison wing is occupied so can't get on top of isolating ladies  to sort that one out. all has to come at the same time! Maybe they lay elsewhere so they don't get eaten?
Does anyone have a good sorce for fake eggs? Ebay's not excactly cheap and I need loads... White china eggs do not work with the ducks, they are too clever  , even if it's the right number!

[omnipeasant]

I just used a real egg, no cost. But if you wanted a more pemanent one you could blow the egg (stop it Tizaala) and fill it with plaster of paris. Alternatively I think the local feed merchant might have fake eggs fairly cheep (pun intended)

[Izzy]

Golf balls can work as pretend eggs.

[northfifeduckling]

I just used a real egg, no cost. But if you wanted a more pemanent one you could blow the egg (stop it Tizaala) and fill it with plaster of paris.

now how would I get plater or cement into a blown out egg? Not very good with DIY but it might be a challenge  . I think my chooks can see colour as the reject white pot eggs...

[SouthMains]

I used a cake piping set...very effective especially the wee plastic syringe like ones that you get reallyc cheap in palces like Lidls

[omnipeasant]

Well so far just the two laying and they go back to their chosen nests so I can cope with this.

Tizaala, I have no rats, honestly, our cats are brilliant. I am only in trouble if the cats start taking eggs

[northfifeduckling]

and I have discovered today that they CAN count above 4 - they have abandoned the latest nest 

[omnipeasant]

One egg is all mine seem to need nfd. Wouldn't leaving more eggs encourage them to go broody?