Egg laying

[lissalischicks]

My friend had the same problem and tried top of locking them in the runs and it didn't work. She then put herbs in the nesting box (they sell them to put in the nesting box or make your own.) and it seemed to have helped. It took about a week but now they lay in the nesting boxes.

When I have to lock my girls in, I have a water bottle with small holes drilled in. I put treats in it and they kick it around to try to get the treats out. It occupies them for a very long time.

 

[aart]

My friend had the same problem and tried top of locking them in the runs and it didn't work.

Curious, how long did she confine them?
Most folks don't do it for long enough.

 

[lissalischicks]

I think she tried for 2 weeks. They started laying in the corner of the run. She thought about putting boxes around the area but it was a hard area to to collect the eggs.

 

[aart]

I think she tried for 2 weeks. They started laying in the corner of the run. She thought about putting boxes around the area but it was a hard area to to collect the eggs.

That always makes me wonder if the nests are of good size and accessibility.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

My friend had the same problem and tried top of locking them in the runs and it didn't work. She then put herbs in the nesting box (they sell them to put in the nesting box or make your own.) and it seemed to have helped. It took about a week but now they lay in the nesting boxes.

When I have to lock my girls in, I have a water bottle with small holes drilled in. I put treats in it and they kick it around to try to get the treats out. It occupies them for a very long time.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Thank you. I built them the coolest Roost out of branches and sticks, they have CDs hanging, a chicken swing, a mirror and I hang cabbage, cauliflower, apples and I take bottles poke holes in them and put corn in this time of year but I like my chickens to free range because that way interact with them most of the day. I am lucky that I have not had any predator problems. If that costs me eggs then it does I'd rather spend time with my chickens. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas how to get them to use a nesting boxes yet free range but I do appreciate your help.

 

[featheredplanets]

Thank you. I built them the coolest Roost out of branches and sticks, they have CDs hanging, a chicken swing, a mirror and I hang cabbage, cauliflower, apples and I take bottles poke holes in them and put corn in this time of year but I like my chickens to free range because that way interact with them most of the day. I am lucky that I have not had any predator problems. If that costs me eggs then it does I'd rather spend time with my chickens. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas how to get them to use a nesting boxes yet free range but I do appreciate your help.

Sounds like a lovely set up! But they need to be retrained to lay in the nest boxes and that’s the only way I know. However, I also got creative with my old hens and made some nesting boxes with old tubs and hid them around the garden, my new pullets loved them, maybe you could try ‘portable nest boxes’?

 

[featheredplanets]

Or maybe it’s a nest box on the go...like a drive thru... totally random, sorry!

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Sounds like a lovely set up! But they need to be retrained to lay in the nest boxes and that’s the only way I know. However, I also got creative with my old hens and made some nesting boxes with old tubs and hid them around the garden, my new pullets loved them, maybe you could try ‘portable nest boxes’?

 

[Pamela Janssen]

You know I thought about that a week ago but I haven't implemented the idea so thank you I will give it a try.