Anyway to make nesting boxes more appealing?

[MaLoTu]

I have one chicken, who in her defense, just started laying. We got egg 3 today (she is my only layer and that is why I can keep track!, lol).

Egg 1: Laid under a piece of plywood in backyard. I Since have started keeping them in the coop until late evening so she wouldn't lay the egg out of the coop.
Egg 2: On top of their 5 Gallon water bucket sometime in the early morning hours. She is the only one that doesn't sleep in the coop. She actually sleeps on the water bucket. >> Side note, how would you stop this? <<
Egg 3: Just outside of the nesting box, but in the coop. I am almost afraid that she laid it from the roost, but it was intact.

I can tell when she wants to lay. She paces back and forth for hours; in and out of the coop. Most of the time she spent today was in the coop. She wants to lay in spot #1.

Is there anything that might entice her to lay in the boxes? Should I slant a piece of plywood over them?

 

[MaLoTu]

Sorry meant to edit not quote!

 

[MeepBeep]

Put a fake egg or two in the nesting box so she has a visual clue where to lay eggs... I use plastic Easter eggs glued shut, but places like Hobby Lobby sell wood eggs for decorating they will work as well, so will golf balls for that matter...

 

[MaLoTu]

Put a fake egg or two in the nesting box so she has a visual clue where to lay eggs... I use plastic Easter eggs glued shut, but places like Hobby Lobby sell wood eggs for decorating they will work as well, so will golf balls for that matter...

I actually have two, hollowed-out eggs in each of the nesting boxes. The chickens have moved them out and all over the place. However, they are mainly on the coop floor where I also found her egg. I don't know if it was just by coincidence.

 

[aart]

Best fake eggs are heavier, so they stay in nest.
I use fake eggs form TSC and golf balls.
Plastic eggs can be filled with sand, maybe blown out eggs could too ans sealed with wax.

Pics of your nests and roosts might help us determine what could be improved.

 

[MaLoTu]

I'll try golf balls...We don't have a place around here that would carry specialty chicken raising stuff like TSC. I will post pics soon.

 

[MeepBeep]

I'll try golf balls...We don't have a place around here that would carry specialty chicken raising stuff like TSC. I will post pics soon.

Golf balls should work, I used to use them when I started... As I said previous Hobby Lobby (chain craft store) sells wooden eggs, other craft stores might as well... So even if there is no feed store in your area you might be able to get fake eggs locally...

*Edit you can even order wooden ones on Walmarts site for free store pickup....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wood-Turning-Shapes-Egg-2-1-2-5-Pkg/33900460

 

[manaze88]

I use golf balls in mine, and have not had any issues with random spots....good luck!

 

[aart]

Golf balls will work fine.....I didn't get the TSC eggs until they were on sale and then just because I wanted them.