Chickens laying eggs in dustbox...help?

[Stablecoop]

Good morning! We have a mixed flock of 15 hens (and 2 roosters...TBD). They are just coming into laying. We have a stand of 6 nest boxes. The barred rocks and new Hampshire seem to have a monopoly on the nest boxes and reliably lay in their favorite ones. Whenever the jersey giants or speckled sussex hens try to get close to the nest boxes they get growled away. They have decided to lay their eggs 1) in the dust box or 2) in the corner of the coop in a "nest" they make out of the shavings. I have tried to pick the jerseys and Sussex's up and place them in the nest box but they don't stay. How can I help them to lay eggs in the boxes instead of the corner of the coop or the dust bath? Thank you!

 

[CluckerFamily]

You could try a couple different things:
Put fake eggs in the nesting boxes.
Pick up the eggs they just laid and put them in the nesting box for the day.
Lock the flock in the coop for some time or only during the time they tend to lay.

 

[RandyRoooo]

 

[RandyRoooo]

Our ladies are all laying their eggs in a bag off shavings. They have 6 nesting boxes. They had a nest on the floor for awhile under a few branches that were added for a hiding place. That nest has been abandoned for the shavings bag. They briefly used one nesting box. Briefly. .

 

[Stablecoop]

Hahahaha Hahahahahah! That REALLY made my day. I think that image will remain in my brain for a LONG time. I am still laughing out loud. Thanks for making my day a little brighter.

 

[RandyRoooo]

Our ladies are all laying their eggs in a bag off shavings. They have 6 nesting boxes. They had a nest on the floor for awhile under a few branches that were added for a hiding place. That nest has been abandoned for the shavings bag. They briefly used one nesting box. Briefly. .

Hahahaha Hahahahahah! That REALLY made my day. I think that image will remain in my brain for a LONG time. I am still laughing out loud. Thanks for making my day a little brighter.

 

[RandyRoooo]

 

[rosemarythyme]

Might try nest box curtains in this case, to give the picked on birds a little privacy / make it tougher for the others to see that the box is being used.

 

[One Lucky Momma]

Or you could compromise and make a more official nest box in that corner they’re already using.

 

[Stablecoop]

I LOVE this idea! Thank you!!!