eggs

[Top Rooster]

You need to cut an entrance to the nest it dosent look very welcoming to lay an egg in, also put the nests on the ground that may encourage them to go in the nest more, as for the mean pullet there is a chance she's broody since you mentioned her puffing and acting aggressive. Does she make different sounding chicken noises compared to the other chickens?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I would put the crates on the floor. The holes in the crate would not hold in the pine shavings.
I use compacted straw in nests and coop floor for a year with no problems. . I would put a couple of ceramic eggs or golf balls in each nest box. I would keep the nest boxes in the darkest area of the coop. GC

 

[lazy gardener]

I have two boxes on one side of their coop and two on the other side, should I put all four together? I am new at this, so please be patient with me. LOL

You can put all of your nest boxes on one side if that makes it easier for you to gather eggs. I have most of my boxes on a single side, and have cut access doors through the back, so I can gather eggs from outside the coop. But, I also have an extra box as well.

As for the statement that mites and lice can hide in straw or hay, if you're going to have issues with mites or lice, they will hide in any kind of bedding. It really won't matter what your bedding is. I use coarse hay in my nest boxes, and often add some aromatic herbs: citronella, oregano, creeping charlie, lemon balm, mint.

Nest box placement: keep them below the level of the perches. I have 3 boxes at floor level, and 3 more directly above those. The birds tell me that they prefer the upper boxes: they are about 14" above the coop floor. They also like the big nest box that is in the broody cage. It's also helpful if you have a way to block the nest boxes off. When acclimating youngsters to the coop, they will sleep in nest boxes if they are allowed to. I fold the perch up across the upper boxes, and have a piece of plywood with key hole openings cut so it easily drops down over a couple of screws mounted above the lower boxes.

 

[ewaugaman]

You need to cut an entrance to the nest it dosent look very welcoming to lay an egg in, also put the nests on the ground that may encourage them to go in the nest more, as for the mean pullet there is a chance she's broody since you mentioned her puffing and acting aggressive. Does she make different sounding chicken noises compared to the other chickens?

 

[ewaugaman]

I will try that, I put easter eggs in there boxes we will see if that encourages the more. thank you so much for your reply, I am also going to put their nesting boxes on the ground as you mentions. thank you so much again. Ew

 

[ewaugaman]

I would put the crates on the floor. The holes in the crate would not hold in the pine shavings.
I use compacted straw in nests and coop floor for a year with no problems.View attachment 1089523. I would put a couple of ceramic eggs or golf balls in each nest box. I would keep the nest boxes in the darkest area of the coop. GC

 

[ewaugaman]

I am going to do that right now, like I said, I have for nesting boxes i also put in plastic easter eggs in there boxes. we will see in the morning if anyone to a liking to them thinking they were there own. thank you so much EW