Weird places that chickens lay eggs....
We've found eggs: behind the coop, under the coop, in the wheelbarrow full of dirty bedding, in the dust bathing box, in the pile of straw bales, in a bag of fresh shavings, between the cornstalks, under the tarp covering the woodpile and even on the patio furniture!
My chickens can't be the only ones doing this. I think it's far more widespread then my backyard. I'm pretty sure chickens all over the world are laying eggs in strange places and I'm on a quest to find out the strangest place an egg has been laid.
It's a funny question, I know...but my Muffy always tried to lay her eggs on the patio furniture!
She would get so mad when we'd shoo her off! She'd march right down to the chicken coop and hop into a nest box huffing and squawking the whole way! She was the only one who ever strayed from the nest box area except Sally.
Sometimes in the summer several hens would go broody at once. That left the rest of the hens to fight over the remaining nest boxes to lay their eggs in. Well, Sally isn't one for waiting her turn. She decided that the fresh shavings in the garage were the perfect place to lay her egg. We didn't catch on to this at first but finally I caught her in the shavings bag! Boy was I surprised when she got up and I found 3 perfect olive eggs. Silly bird!
I wonder if she wants more nest boxes?
Sometimes a hen gets 'put off' using the nest boxes for a reason. Maybe she was using the nest box and got picked on by another hen that wanted that box. Maybe somebody slammed a door or dropped a bucket as she was using the nest box and it scared her a bit. Maybe she just doesn't think the nest box is private enough. For whatever reason she finds another spot. Like in my garden shoes. I really shouldn't leave them outside!
Whatever the reason, some hens just chose to lay their eggs in crazy spots, so I ask you: What is the weirdest place your hen has laid an egg?
~L
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That photo of Muffy on the patio furniture is HILARIOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteStrangest place for us was in small corner hidden by a very spiky rose bush - we don't know how she could stand it going in there to lay as it was awful for us to collect them!
That is strange...maybe she thought the thorns would protect her eggs! lol
Delete~L
Under the deck, under the hanging waterer, on the path from the coop to the yard, buried in the run dirt, under the roost of the coop :D .
DeleteJeanie
This is too funny! Those are some pretty good spots to lay an egg. One of our hens loves to lay on top of the chick brooder in a room attached to their run. It has a metal roof!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, it was probably warm there. Smart hen!
Delete~L
We had a chicken walk down our driveway last summer and lay a couple eggs there. We have a steep driveway and it was quite a hike for the hen! That's probably the weirdest place. Last summer they were laying eggs under the coop. I wondered why I had so little eggs for a day or so (16 hens at the time and just a couple eggs per day), then I glanced under the coop and there was a nice, huge clutch of eggs hiding in some hay!
ReplyDeleteMine laid under the coop last year too. Only the bantys could fit though. I had to fish the eggs out with a butterfly net! lol
Delete~L
I had a hen that loved snuggling down and laying eggs next to the lawn mower. I don't think she was one of my brighter chickens!
ReplyDeletelol...sounds like something my Guineas would do!
Delete~L
I think it's pretty darned smart to stake out some comfy lawn furniture for a nesting spot! No wonder she was mad when you chased her off.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty smart, I was just always afraid someone would sit down without looking and squash an egg!
Delete~L
That is a cute picture of the hen on the patio furniture. One of our hens laid eggs under the truck before. Good thing I spotted it out.
ReplyDeleteohhh, good catch! That could have ended up badly. Thanks!
Delete~L
So funny. Ours haven't been this adventuress in their egg laying yet, but do like going on excursions to the bird feeder.
ReplyDeleteNo more nest boxes required...but a few more bags of pine shavings would probably be appreciated! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with The Clever Chicks this week!
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
I found 3 eggs in one of my two cat boxes this morning I leave under a table on the back porch for my kitties. They are the small foam ones covered with material and a fuzzy warm bottom. Surprisingly clean too. I am still shaking my head. One had laid an egg where I burn trash last week and I never thought to see a stranger place!
ReplyDeleteI have a chicken who is obsessed with our BBQ grill on the patio. She will hang out on it until I shoo her off and then go back as soon as I leave. I think she likes the little sheltered corner it's in. This morning I put a towel on it to keep her from pooping on it and she is so mad. Frantically searching for other spots on the deck furniture to settle. She seems to want to lay an egg but can't quite get comfortable. I expect an egg on that Weber any time.
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny! Maybe she thinks if she hangs out there you'll give her treats when you're cooking on the grill? They're really funny sometimes.
DeleteLisa
I had a hen lay her egg right on top of my foot! I would bet that never happens again.
ReplyDeletei've got a red hen that was given to us she comes thru the dog door ever mornin straight to dogfood bowl,gets her fill and off to the bathrm she goes to laundry basket.lays her egg then she'l grab a drink and let herself out. She gets Crazy upset if she can't come in..
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny! I guess some hens just like to lay their eggs in odd places!
DeleteLisa
We have a couple of chickens that like to lay their eggs under our travel trailer.
ReplyDeleteI would be so frustrated having to crawl under there to get the eggs! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteLisa