First egg but hens not going into nesting box?

[iwiw60]

Here are my nesting boxes... just Home Depot buckets with lids, then cut the lids out leaving a "lip" on them to hold in shavings, attached to 2x4 runner boards using small screws, top row has a 2x4 "foot" that fits between the bottom far end buckets and the next one in to prevent sliding around, the wood bar across the top holds the back of the top row down so when they jump to the top bar the whole thing doesn't flip forward and fall, they come out easy (top 4 attached together, them bottom 5 are separate from the top but still attached together) .... easy to clean and they LOVE them, they typically only use the top ones though, not sure why...

I LIKE that!!! Very very nice...roosting bars a plus!!

 

[Frostyfeathers]

What an amazing coop pict 1 is!!! Do you have more pictures of it. I am building a new coop out of our octagon shaped gazebo and would love some ideas. And that coops interior is how my dream coop would look. Pictures please. Thanks, Frosty

 

[Frostyfeathers]

The coop I was referring to was on the hens won't use nest boxes thread. Frosty

 

[Frostyfeathers]

Uggg, I'm so new at this. Coop pictures were from iwiw60. Sorry, cackle cackle cackle!

 

[philipchickymad]

i have 15 hens and i am only getting around 5 eggs a day and they used to lay around 12-14 eggs a day and i think they are laying somewhere else which i CANNOT seem to find
does anyone know how to make them lay in the nest boxes again
thanks, Phil

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

i have 15 hens and i am only getting around 5 eggs a day and they used to lay around 12-14 eggs a day and i think they are laying somewhere else which i CANNOT seem to find
does anyone know how to make them lay in the nest boxes again
thanks, Phil

It sounds like your birds must be free-ranging during the day, is that correct? (otherwise the eggs would be easy to locate as they would have to be in the coop or run). Do you have an enclosed run that can be used to confine them for a period of days?

 

[subhanalah]

When you click on reply and you type your post you'll see above the white box area a string of icons (Size, A, B, I, U, etc. The one that looks like a small smiley? Click on that and a whole bunch of them come up, then just click on which one you want to use!! e

Haha. And yes, they would inspect! Thank you for the great suggestion.

Now a totally unrelated question - how does one post one of those wonderful emoticons like you have above (under the chair)? I love them but am technologically challenged!

there is no smiley menu for the mobile site.

 

[philipchickymad]

It sounds like your birds must be free-ranging during the day, is that correct? (otherwise the eggs would be easy to locate as they would have to be in the coop or run). Do you have an enclosed run that can be used to confine them for a period of days?

yup they are free range but all their coops are in an enclosed run which i close at night

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

yup they are free range but all their coops are in an enclosed run which i close at night

The best way to break one habit (laying off somewhere else) is to build a new habit (laying in the coop) I would go ahead and keep them in for a bit (or give them only a bit of time out at the end of the day), provide some "bait" eggs (ie fake eggs, golf balls, etc) and get them to re-associate the nest boxes as the place to go to lay their eggs. Since they have an enclosed run they won't be completely without the benefits of getting out for fresh air, etc.

 

[philipchickymad]

The best way to break one habit (laying off somewhere else) is to build a new habit (laying in the coop) I would go ahead and keep them in for a bit (or give them only a bit of time out at the end of the day), provide some "bait" eggs (ie fake eggs, golf balls, etc) and get them to re-associate the nest boxes as the place to go to lay their eggs. Since they have an enclosed run they won't be completely without the benefits of getting out for fresh air, etc.

i have them close is the run today and i have seen many of them laying in the coops so i think it is working thanks