Coop Nests

[ssramage]

Here is the link with pictures of the coop I purchased. Need some more help from the experts here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/thoughts-on-this-coop.1287016/

OK, so after having this coop and my birds for a couple months I've made some observations that I'm hoping you can help with.

1. Hens are roosting in the nesting boxes...you told me it would happen and it did. I've since added a couple roost bars and that seems to be helping.
2. The bigger issue... hens are laying eggs everywhere other than the nesting boxes. I literally have to go on a find and seek mission daily to find eggs. They're typically in the back, hardest to get to corner.

I'm thinking of removing all or part of the nesting boxes and doing DIY milk crates or something on one of the walls. Thoughts?

 

[Rasputin66]

Have you tried putting fake eggs in the nest boxes? That cleared it up with mine.

 

[ssramage]

Have you tried putting fake eggs in the nest boxes? That cleared it up with mine.

I've used golf balls. I have one bird that uses the nesting boxes, but the others find the dark corners...or just lay wherever they want. All of these birds also just started laying so I'm guessing they're still trying to figure it out.

 

[Rasputin66]

Take all the eggs and put them in the box. They may get the message. You can also put something in the dark corner to keep them out, like a bucket or something they can't roost on.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The "back hardest to find corner" is likely the most private place they can find. The nest boxes are very open, which many hens will avoid.

 

[aart]

I'm thinking of removing all or part of the nesting boxes and doing DIY milk crates or something on one of the walls. Thoughts?

Not sure milk crates are the answer, but yes, nests should be moved lower and modified.
They look like below?
Current pics might be good....showing roosts too.

Are they screwed or nailed in place?
How handy are you?

 

[7acres]

I put a sloped metal top on mine and they never tried to roost on it. They laid on the floor at first as well. I had fake eggs in as well. I finally raised the lid. I noticed them going up to the nest and looking in. A day or two later one laid in the nest then another. I then lowered the top and they all lay in it now.

 

[WindingRoad]

Here is the link with pictures of the coop I purchased. Need some more help from the experts here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/thoughts-on-this-coop.1287016/

OK, so after having this coop and my birds for a couple months I've made some observations that I'm hoping you can help with.

1. Hens are roosting in the nesting boxes...you told me it would happen and it did. I've since added a couple roost bars and that seems to be helping.
2. The bigger issue... hens are laying eggs everywhere other than the nesting boxes. I literally have to go on a find and seek mission daily to find eggs. They're typically in the back, hardest to get to corner.

I'm thinking of removing all or part of the nesting boxes and doing DIY milk crates or something on one of the walls. Thoughts?

This might sound funny but you could try curtains. Nothing fancy but a way for them to "hide" when they lay. Like the dark corner. Block that off as another said.