Hens not using Nest Boxees

[csmzman]

Got 15 Bovan Hens that were 18 weeks old, about 8 weeks ago. The hens doing well laying about 12 eggs a day, only problems several of them donot know which are not using the next boxes but drop them it seems while setting on the rost. Does anyone have any ideas for me on how to solve this problem.

Bill

 

[Bill Matthews]

To cszman.....Great choice of layer...Bovans are the best on the market, I think....Does seem like that after 26 weeks egg production would be higher though.....Ruling out any physical problems or unusual stress a solution is not easy UNLESS your hen house is so totally dark that the hens see no light until noon or later.... Is your lighting system/turnout time radically different from the grower's?... Try setting a light on a timer that goes on about 4:30 AM....Maybe the hens will be up and about before the urge to lay becomes an emergency....Also, do you have enough laying boxes?. ......Bovans are such great layers because they are scientifically engineered ...Maybe you just happened to get a batch from parents which were nest challenged from the start...Best to you...

 

[Denverchickee]

Mine weren't laying in the nest boxes so I put up curtains. Now they always they there.

 

[Frizzle13]

Try putting some fake eggs in the boxes

 

[Bill Matthews]

To Denverchickee....Thank you for that info...Beats the trick my Grandma gave me hands down.....Learn, learn , listen, listen...Thanks and Best To You...

 

[jkhenry]

im new at this but had a problem with my chickens laying on floor so I put the nest boxes up higher and they lay in the boxes everytime I have different breeds don't know if it makes a difference they are bsl white leghorns and rsl 5 of my 8 girls are laying now for 2 weeks the funny thing is my white chickens lay in same box and black chickens lay in a separate box

 

[onewing]

Same issue i had i now gather the hens up at night an put them in a dog kennel with roost above a padded nest so i dont get wasted eggs now its sorts a pain but i get whole eggs at least now