eggs are cool, but where are they?

[DeNiseW]

I'm wondering how to teach the ladies how to use the next box. egg hunting is not gonna be fun when it starts to snow. I've had eggs for a week now, under the beets/spruce tree/hole in the yard and behind the coop. I've tried calmly putting them into the box and I have a glass egg in one box. Any suggestions?

 

[eggsrcool]

You can put fake eggs in the nesting boxes to convince them its safe to lay there or you could lock them in for a day so they will get used to it, it worked with some of my hens! And yes eggrcool- eggs-r-cool

 

[The Chicken People]

golf balls in nest boxes!

 

[gjoyner]

Someone told me to use golf balls, and to not let them out of the coop/run until later in the morning. Apparently they lay earlier in the morning so they will desire to lay in the dark "safe" spots..and teh only places in the run/coop are the nest boxes.

 

[toetoe]

Quote:
My girls lay at 9am another at 9:30am, another 2 at 10:45am, another at 1:15pm and the last at 2:00pm.

I collect my eggs after they all go to bed.

 

[gjoyner]

Really? I was told they do all their laying early in the morning!
So..how would i get them to wanna climb the ladder, go back into their coop and lay in the nest boxes? (mine havent started laying yet..they are about 18 weeks! soooon!)

 

[DeNiseW]

Hey, Thanks so much everyone. I'll try some of your suggestions and bide my time, I'm just an anxious mom--never had chickens before--My sweetie, the old farmboy is having more fun watching me than he should be allowed.