Eggs on ground.. how

[fshinggrl]

How do I 'teach' the chicken to lay in the box? Our chickens are 21 weeks old (this weekend) and one EE has been great about laying in the nesting box. We got our first brown egg from a SLW yesterday and I was there when she laid it and grabbed it off the ground immediately (looked like it was going to be pecked). I was there again today and she did the same thing... when I was there.
I tried putting a golf ball in the nesting box but all the chickens did then was peck at it.

lp

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

They will peck at the golf ball but if you leave it in there they will get the idea.

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Yes, I did put golfballs in the nesting box and most of them have the idea. The first couple they did try to peck with success but they are getting used to it. I still find them outside the nest box, but not real often. I also have left the balls in so they won't peck the eggs and that is working too.