Chicken Nest Boxes..Think They Hate Them..

[Crosschickenchick85]

I inherited a chicken coop when my husband and I bought our house. The previous owner built nest boxes out of milk crates. I have 6 chickens.. salmon favourelle, Bleverder and Black Australops. They are now 20 weeks old and although I know I still have a few more weeks before I could see an egg. There are 2 hens I think are closer than the others.. submissive position when approached and bright red waddles. Only thing is all the hens or one is taking the shavings out of the lower boxes and making piles on the coop floor then making a nest out of the pile by making high sides and nothing in the middle. Should I take this as a sign they don't like the boxes and should figure something out? Too many or few boxes in the coop (8 boxes and 6 chickens)? They only free range for 2 to 3 hours a day in the afternoon when I'm home. We have a 3 acre property so I don't want to give them cause to lay someone in the tree line because I'll never find them. Thank you for any advice you may have for me.

 

[Mvan42]

Try putting fake eggs or golf balls in the nesting boxes.

 

[DobieLover]

I inherited a chicken coop when my husband and I bought our house. The previous owner built nest boxes out of milk crates. I have 6 chickens.. salmon favourelle, Bleverder and Black Australops. They are now 20 weeks old and although I know I still have a few more weeks before I could see an egg. There are 2 hens I think are closer than the others.. submissive position when approached and bright red waddles. Only thing is all the hens or one is taking the shavings out of the lower boxes and making piles on the coop floor then making a nest out of the pile by making high sides and nothing in the middle. Should I take this as a sign they don't like the boxes and should figure something out? Too many or few boxes in the coop (8 boxes and 6 chickens)? They only free range for 2 to 3 hours a day in the afternoon when I'm home. We have a 3 acre property so I don't want to give them cause to lay someone in the tree line because I'll never find them. Thank you for any advice you may have for me.

You only need 2 nest boxes for that many pullets.
It sounds like they want a more"cushy" nest. Can you post a picture of the current arrangement?

 

[Crosschickenchick85]

You only need 2 nest boxes for that many pullets.
It sounds like they want a more"cushy" nest. Can you post a picture of the current arrangement?

Here is my current set up.. bottom row and the side boxes are milk crates. The top row is wood.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Those should be fine. You could put cardboard or something against the sides so they can't see each other. That's what I did. Maybe some curtains in the front for more privacy. Also make sure there are enough shavings to pad the bottoms because they have holes.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Looks a bit brighter than my birds like. I agree darken them up. Cardboard sides, curtains that sort of thing should help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's very normal for soon to be layers to make a mess of nest boxes as they explore them.

 

[aart]

It's very normal for soon to be layers to make a mess of nest boxes as they explore them.

This^^^
Best sign that eggs are imminent!

 

[Crosschickenchick85]

Thank you everyone for the feedback! I'll try to make them a little more private. I have my fingers crossed for eggs soon. Will be the most expensive 1/2 dozen eggs I have ever bought.

 

[aart]

I'll try to make them a little more private. I have my fingers crossed for eggs soon.

No need to make them 'private'...and any changes could put them off at this point, just be patient.