Acceptable nest boxes?

[Murdy]

Well.... As my girls are getting closer to point of lay, I'm looking for opinions on my nest box. I slapped them together early, and figured I'd modify later if need be. My main question is whether I should cover them or just leave them as is. Thoughts?

 

[neo71665]

I've seen birds lay in way worse. I'd leave them and see if they will take to them first.

 

[Murdy]

I've seen birds lay in way worse. I'd leave them and see if they will take to them first.

If they don't take to them... They'll just lay in some random spot?

 

[neo71665]

If they don't take to them... They'll just lay in some random spot?

At first don't be surprised to find eggs all over. They have to learn where you want them to lay. You need to lay some nest eggs in there to show them it's a safe spot to use.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My main question is whether I should cover them or just leave them as is. Thoughts?

If they start pooping in them from the roosts, yeah cover them. Otherwise it should not be necessary. Dad's nests looked a lot like that. The hens laid in them and used them to hatch chicks.

 

[Murdy]

My main question is whether I should cover them or just leave them as is. Thoughts?

If they start pooping in them from the roosts, yeah cover them. Otherwise it should not be necessary. Dad's nests looked a lot like that. The hens laid in them and used them to hatch chicks.

Perfect. Good info.


There's some poop in there from before, but I'm going to put a poop board under that section of the roost.

 

[Murdy]

At first don't be surprised to find eggs all over. They have to learn where you want them to lay. You need to lay some nest eggs in there to show them it's a safe spot to use.

Perfect!

And now.... I continue to wait. Haha!

Thanks!

 

[mailmamm]

I put fake eggs in the nest boxes when I changed locations for me chickens. It took them about a day to figure out the new nest boxes.