Chickens not laying in their boxes

[YoshiWolfox]

Hello, this is my first time posting a question on this site. I just joined a little bit ago, and I've been wondering - my chickens aren't laying in the nesting boxes. I know they can lay eggs, I found one in some plants where they like to sunbathe in the dirt. My bantams instantly knew about the nesting boxes, without me having to show them. I fluffed up the boxes with rice hulls. My rooster is mating with my hens, and I've got the chickens in mid April 2015. These chickens aren't bantams, but full grown. How do I get them to start laying in the nesting boxes? How do I introduce them to it?

 

[barneveldrerman]

I kept putting their eggs in the box. You can also buy fake eggs or use golf balls and put them in the nest. Hopefully they will soon realize they need to lay their eggs in the boxes. This method worked for me.


Hope this helped!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Are the bantams older than April birds?

If you have a plenty big coop, I'd lock them all in the coop for a few days to habituate them to laying in the coops nests.



Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.

 

[YoshiWolfox]

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking about that, I'll have to try it later today

 

[YoshiWolfox]

Yeah, my bantams are at least over 5 years old. Maybe 7-8? They were free range too, but knew exactly where to go. Thanks for the advice! I'll have to try that