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Getting them to nesting boxes so as NOT to step on hidden eggs......??

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Momma_Cluck, Nov 3, 2008.

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  1. Nov 3, 2008 #1
    Momma_Cluck

    Momma_Cluck Songster

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    Jun 11, 2008
    N. West Michigan
    ALL our Bantams are now laying !
    We are getting about 1 egg a day now,
    but NONE of them will use the nest-boxes!
    They prefer to dig out a spot behind the grain bin or just build a nest in the middle of the floor!

    Twice now, I've almost stepped on mostly-hidden eggs in the middle of the coop floor with a bit of straw tossed over em!!!

    HOW do you get the little brats to lay IN the boxes?
    I have several raised about 3 feet from the floor,
    and several ON the floor.. since The Silkies seem to be afraid of heights.( they won't even use the roosts!)

    All the gals just use the top of em for roosts, or shove them out of the way and nest behind them!
    I really want to break them of this before an egg gets broke, and before the Rocks start to lay!

    HELP!!! Any suggestions?
    I have Golf-balls in the nests-- but they just play with them (Except the tiny lil' OE Banty who keeps rolling them all into a nest and trying to hatch them-- and they are 2x as big as her eggs! LOL!)
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2008
  2. Nov 3, 2008 #2
    momma's chickens

    momma's chickens Songster

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    Mar 10, 2008
    Idaho
    I was going to suggest golf balls, but since that isn't working, what if you put a couple of the eggs you found in the nesting boxes to see if that would help.

    Sorry I am not more help!
     
  3. Nov 7, 2008 #3
    Momma_Cluck

    Momma_Cluck Songster

    592
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    Jun 11, 2008
    N. West Michigan
    Anyone else?? [​IMG]
    I'm finding nests with eggs all over the floors!!!
    We have numerous nest boxes in different places at different heights--- only ONE hen will use em!

    HELP!
     
  4. Nov 7, 2008 #4
    basicliving

    basicliving Keepin' the sunny side up

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    Mar 20, 2008
    Shenandoah Valley, VA
    What are the sizes of your nest boxes? Are they completely open in the front, or does it slope down a bit? I had to put curtains on my nest boxes to get them to use them - I hung them about 3/4 of the way down. That did the trick for me. I think they must of felt the nest boxes were a little big and exposed them too much? I'm not sure, but that worked for me. I still have one that lays on the floor - but she'll sit in the box for an hour and then I think gets bored. The egg pops out of her while she's running around [​IMG]

    Good luck!
    Penny
     
  5. Nov 7, 2008 #5
    katrinag

    katrinag Songster

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    Jul 13, 2008
    Kendall/DeKalb County IL
    Make sure your nest boxes are about 18 inches off the ground. Place glof balls or wooden eggs in the boxes. If you can catch them when they are on the floor try picking them up and puttint them in the box.
     

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