Hens stop using nesting boxes now use rabbit house!!!!

[Catfish M]

I have 8 young hens 7 started laying end of July.4 would use the nesting boxes in the coop and 3 would go in the rabbit hutch in their house and lay.Now all 7 are wanting to lay in the rabbits house. How do I get them to lay in their nesting boxes? The rabbits free range like my chickens so their hutch is always open. I tried closing the rabbit hutch in the mornings when I let my chickens out of there coop but the chickens keep trying to fly into the door of the hutch..I need help with this one cause I am lost..

 

[Den in Penn]

Confine the chickens to the coop till they get in the habit of using the nest boxes. Tough love but in the long run easier. When you think they have it start letting them out in the evening. Increasing the time they are out each day. If any decide to lay else where shorten the time out again.

 

[Catfish M]

That is a great idea but the problem with that is my coop is big enough for my chickens but I live in Texas where it is 100 + degrees and my coop and pen area get shade but not as much as the fig tree they all hang out under during the heat of the day. I tried taking the box away but then my hens have been searching for it. So I gave in and put the rabbit house in the chicken coop and the chickens are waiting in line..LOL!!!! When the Fall comes or at least lower temps arrive I will try that. I really appreciate the help I am new at this but do love hen raising so much...