"Fake" eggs in nest box

[dogdollar]

Okay, I put my nest boxes in about two weeks ago, and put a couple of fake eggs in each nest to give the gals an idea about what the boxes were for. The result has been nothing but excellent.....they are laying almost exclusively in the boxes now and don't poop or sleep in them. I haven't had to wash an egg in the last three dozen I have gathered.
My question is can I go ahead and remover the fake eggs now? This morning the girls had pushed all but one of them out of the boxes anyway...they even kicked one of them down the stairs!!
And yes, I am an idiot......on the day after I put the fake eggs in, I actually collected two of the fake eggs, and was amazed because it was the first time I found that many eggs at once. When I realized what I had done, I had a pretty good laugh about it. I really should have my coffee before I go out there in the mornings.........
DD

 

[sixxchixx]

tee hee heee. My DH did the same thing! he came in with 4 eggs (2 fake) one day and a huge grin on his face saying
"look honnie, they laid 2 each today! i guess they are pulling their weight around here!"
i just about died laughing at /with him!

BTW im sure you can pull the fake eggs out. they know what theyre doing and will probably go in on their own now.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
That's exactly why I use golf balls. Plus, I had 'em laying around from some craft project or another - I don't golf! Never have. They work fine enough.

Because I gather the EGGS, I leave the golf balls in the nests all the time. I have young ladies who haven't started laying yet, so I want them to be able to see an 'egg' there when they consider laying eggs.

It's also interesting to see where those golf balls end up, sometimes. They "move" from nest box to nest box without my intervention. Makes me smile.

Once Shirley Welsummer went broody on 4 eggs and a golf ball, I removed the golf ball from underneath her; I had another nest box that needed one!

 

[queenbeezz]

I have left them in, for no real reason. For those out there considering putting fakers in==you can biy wooden brown eggs at JoAnn Fabrics or ping pong balls work well. My grandmother used old glass doorknobs.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I use golf balls and I've left them in the nest box because occasionally one or two will lay on the coop floor. Don't know why...

 

[dogdollar]

I bought mine at the local feed store, and they REALLY look like real brown eggs...I think I paid $1.50 a piece for them.
DD

 

[MakNugget]

Quote:
That's exactly why I use golf balls. Plus, I had 'em laying around from some craft project or another - I don't golf! Never have. They work fine enough.

Because I gather the EGGS, I leave the golf balls in the nests all the time. I have young ladies who haven't started laying yet, so I want them to be able to see an 'egg' there when they consider laying eggs.

It's also interesting to see where those golf balls end up, sometimes. They "move" from nest box to nest box without my intervention. Makes me smile.

Once Shirley Welsummer went broody on 4 eggs and a golf ball, I removed the golf ball from underneath her; I had another nest box that needed one!

I have a golf ball (Willy Wonka Top Flight balls) in both my nests, and they like playing with them. It's so cute watching them tuck it gently underneath using their beak while they work.

I have about 3" of wood shavings in the nest, and I play the good hotel manager and freshen up their nest and reset the ball in the middle every night. My two layers are standing in front of the nest this morning discussing which one to use as that 'egg is coming' feeling sets in. My BO goes into hyper circle mode right before going in.

 

[organicchef]

Quote:

That is SOOOOO something I would do!!!!