Help with "Nest" Relocation

[Mrs Ugh]

I finally got my first egg, but, of course, the chickens are all laying their eggs in the far back corner of the coop (under the poop board) instead of in the nice nest boxes I made for them! I have devised a way to access the eggs without laying on the floor of the coop, but with 10 hens, I think I need another nesting place also. Should I block their access to the far back until they start using the "proper" boxes? My nest boxes (also under the poop tray) have nice soft bedding, golf balls and I even added curtains! Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[rebrascora]

The most likely reason for them using this particular place is because it feels safe but I will reserve any other comments/suggestions until I have seen a photo of your set up, if you can post one.

 

[Mrs Ugh]

Agree, but how can I get them to use an additional location?

The most likely reason for them using this particular place is because it feels safe but I will reserve any other comments/suggestions until I have seen a photo of your set up, if you can post one.

 

[OzarkF&G]

If that chicken in the photo's is going to the area you do NOT want them, then I would say you need block that off. I would line that whole area with nesting boxes with curtains, and get two for the price of one... No eggs in weird places and you get extra nesting boxes.

To be fair, I have about 15 boxes more than I need, and I still have a stupid Cochin laying in the bedding in her own nest...

 

[rebrascora]

Agreed. Corners are usually favoured over more open areas but it seems a waste of space not to utilise that spot for a nest box unless construction prevents it. If that is the case, then block that space off. and hopefully they will use your nest box or the gap on the other side of it as their new nesting spot, but no guarantees especially if that is a leghorn.... they can be creative.... I used to have an extensive egg hunt every day with mine which included crawling into tight spaces (so I do sympathise!)and even using ladders.... my birds free ranged in an old farmyard....I used to have to stalk them when they left the hen house to see where they headed off to and if they knew I was watching they would act all disinterested until they thought the coast was clear and then sneak into their spot. If I turned by back for a moment, they were out of sight.... sneaky little oiks!

 

[Mrs Ugh]

Yes that is one of 4 leghorns. They are very wiley-the first to escape the run. I have designed a hatch to retrieve the eggs, so I don't mind them laying there. It is too narrow to install a proper nest box. I just can't see 10 all laying in the same place! I have added 3 other boxes and put a plastic bin in their favorite place...

 

[jthornton]

They like a dark safe place, I had one laying in the electronics area of the coop and she was squeezing past a gap in the cardboard divider. Close off any small dark places and they will use what is left.

JT

 

[aart]

I would line that whole area with nesting boxes

Yep, should be able to get 3 in there, a good number of nests for 10 layers.
Curtains are really not necessary, it's plenty dim under there.
Fake eggs/golf balls/sand filled plastic easter eggs in nests can really help.