Barred Rocks Not Laying in Boxes

[rudimyers]

I have a real hen box and two banker boxes (I had hens - no longer with us - that would lay in these) in the Lowe's shed (8x8x8) we are using as a coop. The Barreds (we have 11 hens) roost on the shelf in the coop. I found one egg two days ago near one of the boxes. So, I took a yellow ball (I don't have any golf balls) and put it in the box closest to where I found the egg. Today, I found three eggs (the hens are only 5 months old so are just starting to lay) in a completely different area - on the floor in the hay (I have hay all over the floor of the coop - makes poop clean up pretty easy). So, I put the real hen box on TOP of where I found the eggs and put the yellow ball in there. Is there anything else I can do to get the hens to lay in either the real box or banker boxes (I have all three because I thought I needed them since we have so many hens, and I read somewhere that you need to have one box per three hens or so.)? TIA for any and all help.

 

[Judy]

You can probably pick up a small box of 5 or 6 golf balls at the dollar store, if you want to -- I did this years ago and am still using most of them (I think snakes ate a couple.) The yellow ball should work fine if it's the right general size. Plastic easter eggs work well, too, though they stay put better if you fill them with sand. I've even used rocks -- rounded river rocks.

Mine use the nests better if they have 2 or 3 types to choose from. Sometimes they prefer the open top plastic bin, that has a scooped out, low front. That one works especially well for a broody. Some prefer open tops and some prefer open sides. Privacy or relative darkness seems to matter more to some than others. A scrap of cloth for a partial curtain might help. I have two that were recently using a small pile of hay; I just fixed it so the eggs wouldn't roll out. I find that the same chicken may change her mind about which she prefers. Three should be plenty, by the way. And I've also used cardboard boxes successfully. I have yet to spend money on a nest box.

 

[rudimyers]

I will try buying some golf balls and put a piece of cloth over one of the banker boxes and see. At least they are laying in the coop!