Hens laying in the bushes

[klyra]

Hi everyone!! Our flock has taken to laying in the bushes. How can I encourage them to lay in nesting boxes? I recently moved them to a bigger coop, and it doesn't have boxes, so I built some but probably did something wrong. They have laid a few eggs in there but most eggs are still being laid in the bushes. I tried blocking the area in the bushes but they just lay beside it deeper in the bushes. I did put a couple decoy eggs in the makeshift boxes as well. They still prefer the bushes. Anything I can do to make it more favorable for them?
Thanks everyone!!

 

[Folly's place]

Keep them locked in their coop and run until late afternoon at least, for a week or so, until they are using their nest boxes. Reevaluate your nest box setup, and look for mites at night too. Mary

 

[klyra]

Keep them locked in their coop and run until late afternoon at least, for a week or so, until they are using their nest boxes. Reevaluate your nest box setup, and look for mites at night too.  Mary

They're free range in a large yard with bushes and trees and grass. The coop isn't big enough for staying in all day and its in the sun so would be hot with them closed up inside...

 

[toddo]

Mine are free range and they did the same thing while it was very hot. I kept disturbing where they were laying and they are back in the coop now.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Fake eggs or golfballs

 

[klyra]

Mine are free range and they did the same thing while it was very hot.  I kept disturbing where they were laying and they are back in the coop now.

Oh! Good to know. Yes, it is very hot here. I'll keep an eye out and hope they switch with the weather!

 

[klyra]

Fake eggs or golfballs

I marked a few eggs with felt (to remind us not to eat them) and have left those in the nesting boxes. Fingers crossed!!! Thank you!

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

I tried that several times and my hens always step on them

 

[smudge]

At least it's in the bushes... I've got one laying in the middle of the lawn... The *neighbor's* lawn... Actually, at more than one neighbor's...

 

[klyra]

At least it's in the bushes...  I've got one laying in the middle of the lawn... The *neighbor's* lawn... Actually, at more than one neighbor's...

Oh that's funny!! Free eggs for everyone. Very generous chickens!