Getting hens to lay in nesting box?

[Eryn]

So my SLW have just started laying! The first egg I got was in their nesting box like it should have been! THEN they decided my porch swing is a better place to lay eggs!!!!

I want to break them of this habit of course! I tried locking them in the coop yesterday and layed in the nesting box as they couldn't get to the porch swing... So I let them back out this morning and the first thing my little Hermione did was strut over to the porch swing, hop up and get comfy!!!

Any suggestions on how to break them of this habit???

 

[tvtaber]

Well, mine lay under the roosts at first, which is gross to say the least. So I covered up that favorite spot with a plasic box lid and they uncovered it and layed there anyway. We went back and forth for a few days and finally the inconvenience got to be too much and most started using the nestboxes.

I still have a couple who prefer the floor to the boxes, so I have decided to redecorate. I have a cube of four nests and my plan is to make each one a different theme. So far the kids and I have planned a pink room with flowers, garden room with grass etc drawn on the walls, an orange room (that one may change, not sedate enough) and a Lincoln bedroom. Another thought is to paper one with Reader's Digest pages so they can read while they lay...

Vicki

 

[patandchickens]

have you tries the ole 'fake egg in nest box' trick. I use an egg-shaped stone, but anything vaguely egglike is supposed to work as well (golf balls, or plastic easter eggs filled w/sand and taped shut).

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Eryn]

I will have to try a fake egg.... They just think they own the whole yard so they can lay where ever they want LOL!