Eggs all in one basket...

[MareeZoCool]

Quote:
I've heard people say to use golf balls to try to teach a hen to lay in certain places, does this REALLY WORK, or is it just luck ?

 

[trilyn]

I started with 4 nests and a golf ball in each one. They do have their favorite box, but there are eggs in every one. But for some reason the top left box is the sweet spot! I've seen 3 birds in there at one time, talk about a fluffy pile up!! lol

 

[Intheswamp]

I don't know if this would scar them mentally for life (might have to find a chickenwhisperer to counsel them later), but what about closing off the favorite nestbox and seeing how they disperse to the other nestboxes? Then re-open it after a couple of days?
I'm a newbie so don't shoot me, it was just a thought!

Ed

 

[Dora'smom]

I have nine hens with two nestboxes, and two golf balls in each. Almost all the eggs are laid in the left box. Occasionally there is a single egg in the right box or under the roost, but almost always the left box. The golf balls have been there almost from the start.

 

[PhilErvin]

I opened the top to reach in and collect the eggs and three girls were all sitting in one box and another was standing there waiting to get in as well. I don't care and do find it funny. I have noticed that they make the other boxes look like they have been there by making the straw all rounded up like a nest but they prefer to share one box when it comes to laying.

 

[Chickiemama1010]

gonzo&hispeeps :

I wish I knew too! Mine have 5 nesting boxes in their coop, but they like to all use the old dog house in our garage!

Silly birds!

LOL I have 2 lying right now, and 3 boxes. they like to lay in the yard and send me on an egg hunt. Sometimes they use my sons radio flyer wagon even if it has a little bit of water in it from rain. Now I dont let them out till later in the morn. so I am sure the egg is contained to the coop.​

 

[harrisville chicken]

I've posted a schedule for them to follow so they can all take turns.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
LOL!! May I have a copy of that to use for my girls?

I put out four fake eggs, and the chickens move them around. I never SEE them move them, but I'm not doing it in my sleep, so I know they're moving them. I've got two coops right now, and they all sleep in one coop, but will lay eggs in both coops. BUT they only lay eggs in one nestbox of each.

I've only got six layers of the 8 hens right now, and I get four or five eggs a day. NEVER a "solo" egg - usually 3 in one nestbox in one coop (the one they sleep in) and two eggs in one of two nestboxes of the other coop.

I don't really care, but I am puzzled when there's an egg laid smack dab in the middle of a coop or the run. Perhaps, because they're all fairly new at laying eggs, they just don't get to the nestbox(es) in time on those occasions.

 

[Princess_Layer]

We have the same problem. We have 2 nesting boxes and all the eggs laid so far have been in one of them.

Is it bad that they are? I wasn't too worried about it til I came on here.

One of my girls even sleeps in there. I don't know how to make her perch.

 

[harrisville chicken]

Quote:
LOL!! May I have a copy of that to use for my girls?

Sure, but it's difficult for humans to read. It's in chicken scratch.