Hens wont use nests

[wefroggy]

So I now have 5 laying hens who were free range, but now, not so much. I have them confined to the coop until they accept the fact that they are no longer completely free range. Once they are used to their new coop, I will begin to let them out during the day with the rest of the flock.
Here's my problem, the first day they used the nests, now they have built a nest in the corner and they all use this one nest on the floor. They do however like to roost at the opening to the box. I have a roost for them, higher than the nest, but they don't like it. So how do you get the hens to use the nest boxes and not the floor?

 

[farmerjill]

You could move all of the already laid eggs to the nest box, in the hopes that they'll say, oh, here's where we lay eggs!

Remember though, that they are ground-nesting birds and they like to lay eggs best in a box close to (or on) the ground. So the lowest, darkest quietest box is probably your best choice.

Or you could do like I do, and let them continue to lay on the floor and just maybe slip a Rubbermaid container on its side right there, so the nest is a bit protected.

 

[Blue_Myst]

Hens like to lay in the darkest box where they feel most secure. I'd first check to make sure your boxes aren't getting hit by sunlight all day long, or something like that.

Many people also use golf balls to show the hens where to lay. I've tried this recently and so far so good!

 

[wefroggy]

We did some adjustments on the boxes today and I had 2 eggs in a nest so I think it might have been the light issue, above the egg doors we had some chicken wire that faced into the supply area of the coop.
I will put some golfballs in there tomorrow just to make sure they get the idea.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Roue]

I am also having a weird problem with my girls. I have 2 laying hens, and one of them spent most of last week just hanging out in the nest box. They've both been laying for about 7 months now, and I've never had any trouble. The weird thing is, now, even though Eva isn't spending all her time in the nest, Lulu doesn't seem to want to lay in there anymore, so she's been laying her eggs all over the ground and in weird corners. Its especially frustrating because I've found 4 eggs now that I can't eat because I have no clue how old they are How can I get Lulu to lay in the nest again? The other thing is, she's been particularly broody since she hasn't been laying in the nest.