Chicken laying on top of nesting boxes

[spiritpots]

One of my newer chickens has just begun laying and is doing so on top of the nesting boxes (see photo). I have tried moving her into one of the boxes to show her where to lay but she continues to go back on top. I have 13 chickens (four have not started to lay yet) and four nesting boxes. Since she can see others laying in the boxes will she eventually figure it out? I have had chickens for a number of years but have not had anything like this happen before. Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would try blocking that area with something like plastic traffic cones or the like. Home Depot has them, I believe.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is that chicken bigger than the others, so that she might find the nests a lityle confining?

 

[spiritpots]

I would try blocking that area with something like plastic traffic cones or the like. Home Depot has them, I believe.

Thank you for the suggestion. I will block the space tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A piece of scrap wood or plastic taped or tacked to the wall at a 45 degree angle would also help deter her, as she'd start to slide off if she got up there.

 

[spiritpots]

A piece of scrap wood or plastic taped or tacked to the wall at a 45 degree angle would also help deter her, as she'd start to slide off if she got up there.

Thank you for your suggestion. I blocked the area with boxes and boards and although Daisy was not happy she did lay in a nesting box. I'll keep the area closed off for a while (I'll remove the boxes at night so the roost can be used) to be sure she knows where to lay.