Chicken won't use nesting box??

[newchck]

Hi again, all! One of our chickens is laying in the middle of the run instead of in the nesting box. We are pretty sure it is Big Girl, I saw her hanging out in the nesting box, but then BAM! an egg in the middle of the run shortly later (this is the second time this has happened). This wouldn't be a big deal if we had built our run better,but it is a huge hassle to get eggs out of the run. Any advice on getting her to use the box? I have attached a photo of the box when it was first built, it has straw for bedding and we did have fake eggs in there until they all began to lay. My only other idea is that Putin (hence the name) is bullying her out of the nesting box. My husband said he saw Putin climbing on top of Big Girl when she was in the box yesterday. Thanks so much!!!!

 

[chickenlittle21]

Give them multiple nesting boxes. What's the bedding in the nesting box?

 

[newchck]

Give them multiple nesting boxes. What's the bedding in the nesting box?

It is chopped straw, yes we are probably going to build another even though we only have 5, but if they are being rude to each other about it then we want to fix it for sure!

 

[coldinnh]

I’ll be watching to see how you solve... I have 3 laying in the rafters... one starting using a box but when I took out all her eggs - rafters. I have tried fake eggs - think that attracted her but now ignoring boxes. Had happen with a girl who is now raising chick and two others - liked laying behind a door but only if there were than more 2 eggs. If I collect the eggs they find a new spot.

 

[newchck]

I’ll be watching to see how you solve... I have 3 laying in the rafters... one starting using a box but when I took out all her eggs - rafters. I have tried fake eggs - think that attracted her but now ignoring boxes. Had happen with a girl who is now raising chick and two others - liked laying behind a door but only if there were than more 2 eggs. If I collect the eggs they find a new spot.

I am curious how many nesting boxes and chickens you have? This is my first time with this so it is all a learning experience

 

[cluckingheck]

maybe hang a curtain or something to make it feel more “closed in” to them? that opening is pretty wide

 

[rosemarythyme]

we did have fake eggs in there until they all began to lay.

Simple. Put the fakes back in. No reason to take them out as the presence of the fakes tells the chickens "This is a safe place to lay, see the other egg here."

 

[newchck]

Simple. Put the fakes back in. No reason to take them out as the presence of the fakes tells the chickens "This is a safe place to lay, see the other egg here."

I guess I should clarify, I just took out the fake eggs yesterday thinking maybe Big Girl doesn't like them, they have been in all of the time before that when she was laying out of the nesting box, thanks

 

[LaFleche]

My only other idea is that Putin (hence the name) is bullying her out of the nesting box

That would be my guess and can easily prevented by providing another nest box.

 

[newchck]

That would be my guess and can easily prevented by providing another nest box.

I think we are going to build another one, we have all of the materials so hopefully we can do that this weekend!