How do I train new chickens to lay eggs in nesting boxes?

Lots of folks put golf balls or a plastic egg in the nest boxes to give the hens an idea of where to lay,and to BYC

You can put fake eggs or golf balls in the nest.  Don't put them in every nest though, I have some girls that prefer an empty nest box.  Usually within a week of them beginning to lay, they will get them in the boxes.

Wanmom

Welcome to BYC. I have only had my chickens for 6 months but the chicks I recieved September 15 have just started to lay on the floor. I put a box on the coup floor and put pine chips in the box this morning and I found a blue/green egg in the box an hour later. I was so happy it was not layed on the floor. The box is near the shelf the nesting boxes are on. I am hoping the hens will learn to use nexting boxes. Good luck.

Golf balls! Ours worked perfectly.

from Elverta, California.

I use wooden eggs.  I am wary of the golf balls because I had 4 in my nest boxes and the hens just kicked them out.  The wooden eggs are good because they just take to it naturally and sit on them and lay.

I had the same problem once with a hen called Nobby. My shed is divided into two with a wooden fence down the middle. one side for me, one side for the hens and ducks.

Nobby liked to sit on the fence during the day (the fence is 2 meters high). She then also started laying her eggs whilst on the fence. I soon got fed up of the broken eggs on the floor (my dog didn't).

I ended up waiting until she jumped onto the fence to lay, I grabbed her and put her into a nest box. I left her inside for about 90 minutes...since then she always goes into the boxes.

if you find anymore eggs on the floor, pick them up and put them in a box. Leave them there for a day, the hens will soon get the right idea.

Try scattering a few plastic milk crates around on the floor of your coop. Lay them on their side, so the hens feel as if they have some privacy. Add a few inches of straw so it's soft & warm. My rooster nestles down in each nests then tells th:frowe girls it's ready. He will stand beside them,  listening and coaching them along as they lay their egg.