Why Chickens Might Stop Laying in Nesting Boxes

Opening the nesting boxes to find a clutch of eggs is such a great feeling! However, every chicken keeper knows that sometimes you have to hunt for them, especially if you have free-ranging chickens!  Whether it’s in the bushes, under the porch, or even inside feed bags, chickens will lay wherever they feel comfortable and safe!  Let’s talk about some reasons why your chickens might prefer laying in other places to their nesting boxes.

Stress/Overcrowding

If there is too much activity in the nesting boxes, your chickens may look elsewhere to lay their eggs. While some hens prefer the company of their peers while laying, others prefer a quiet, solo space. Often, adding a couple more boxes can decrease the stress and encourage your flock to lay their eggs in the right place again. One nesting box for every 4-5 hens is what we recommend. 

Husbandry

Smelly, damp, or buggy nesting boxes cause an uncomfortable environment for your hens to lay their eggs. Ensuring your nesting boxes have fresh bedding and are clean and inviting will attract your flock to lay their eggs in them.  Adding some nesting herbs, or diatomaceous earth, is a great idea as well! Not only will your nesting boxes smell fresh, but they will attract fewer pests as well.  

External Parasites

Nesting boxes are more susceptible to mites and lice, as they provide the perfect environment for easy access to your hens!  They can easily hide from bad weather and have a constant source of food, your flock.  These little pests create an uncomfortable environment for your flock, and they will often seek other areas to lay their eggs.  Make sure to clean your nesting boxes regularly, and check your flock for external parasites often! 

Predators

If your flock doesn’t feel safe in their nesting boxes, they will find other places to lay.  If your nesting boxes are in an area that sees a lot of predator activity, it may be time to make some changes.  Whether it is predator-proofing your coop and run, setting traps, or removing predators in another manner, creating that safe space will encourage your hens to resume laying in their nesting boxes.

Privacy

Creating a quiet, dark, and semi-confined space for your hens is the best way to give them some privacy to lay their eggs.  Adding curtains to your nesting boxes is a great way to give them an extra level of privacy for maximum comfort. Using scrap materials, burlap, or any kind of material works just fine. The more privacy you are able to give your hens, the better! 

Seasonal Changes

As fall rolls into the winter months, the number of eggs you find in the nesting boxes may dwindle…  While it may seem like your chickens have found a more suitable place to lay, it is common for the frequency at which they lay to drop dramatically. As the number of daytime hours decreases and the amount of molting increases, it may just be your birds adjusting to the change in seasons for a while. 

Age

Younger pullets often need a little guidance when it comes to laying in the right area! You will commonly notice them exploring the nesting boxes more and more, as they get closer to laying their first eggs!  Placing fake eggs, or even golf balls, in your nesting boxes is a great way to show your flock where their eggs should go.  While it might take them a little while to get acclimated to laying in general, with your help, they will learn just what to do!