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Chickens are wonderful creatures BUT they can also make extremely bizarre choices on where to lay their eggs. Even when you you’ve provided fresh nesting box bedding, you’ll find that sometimes there is that odd one or two that will go against the grain and want to nest ‘somewhere else’. More than likely, these are the ones that are ‘broody’ or becoming ‘broody’. They’ll seek out a safe place to lay and sit on their little stash of eggs.

Another theory is that sometimes if a particular hen is bullied within the flock she will find a separate safe place, away from the flock, to lay her eggs.

Be sure to also check any parasite infestation as hens will look for new places to lay their gifts if the current nesting accommodation is littered with parasites.

You could encourage better nesting choices by making it extra appealing to your hens, by providing a safe, secluded place (one that doesn’t warrant an audience!) to lay their eggs – quite often all it takes is a nesting box curtain! Also offer fresh soft nesting box litter and also a few sprigs of lavender to help the hens relax.

All it takes is 7 days. Yes as little as just 7 days! The 7 Day Red Mite Lifecycle is quick…. here’s a breakdown.

Adult – Lays 1000 eggs – Larva – Nymph – Adult – Feeds on birds – Adult – Lays 1000 eggs…. and the cycle keeps going round and round.

TIP – Ensure you check for red mites regularly, night checks in the coop once a week is good practice. The mites live and reproduce in the dark, and love damp places too. So dry bedding is must! Did you know, that the mites only attach to the birds and feed on them for just one or two hours a night?? They are so tiny, so checking the coop reguarly (at night when they are most likely out and about looking for a feed) will enable you to determine easily if you have a red mite infestation – or the start of one.