- Nov 2, 2013
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I have had 5 orpington chicks for 3 months, although they're no longer chicks. One rooster and the rest hens. They are doing great and are now free ranging and return to protected coop at night. How do i make the transition to nesting boxes? or will they do that on their own? The boxes ( hay filled and cozy) are provided but no one is having any part of them.
This is my first attempt at chickens and are enjoying them immensely!
This is my first attempt at chickens and are enjoying them immensely!
and Welcome to BYC! Orpingtons are a nice breed and make great pets. As the girls get closer to laying, they should start investigating the nesting boxes by themselves, they may rearrange the hay and fuss about for a few weeks before they start laying. As chickenboy190 said, fake eggs or golf balls etc in the nests are helpful to trick the chickens in to thinking other hens have already OKd the box and laid in it. If they start trying to sleep in the boxes though, you want to discourage that mostly because of the poop issue.
