[foster75]

hi all, our 2 new hens have started laying which is great but they wont use the nest box. so the eggs are getting dirty. i put a couple of eggs in the nest box and left them hopeing they would get the message but they move them all out again.
anyone got any ideas?
thanks
david

[Poultry Pioneer]

Hi, have you used china eggs? They're probably the best for learning hens.

[3Bluebelles]

Where are they laying instead? And where are they moving the eggs to if they are not using the nesting box? Sorry to sound dim!

[ANHBUC]

Are you allowing them to sleep in the nest boxes instead of on the perches?  If so this may be your problem.

[foster75]

no they sleep on the perche but are laying under the perch. the nest box is on the floor and they manage to get the eggs out of the nest box, it has a inch high lip at the front to stop the egg, ha

[ANHBUC]

If they are young birds they sometimes lay from the perch as they are inexperienced.  Best to replace the 1" with a 3" piece of wood, this will stop them removing the eggs and the nesting material.