Hens won't use next box?

[kwebb]

I now have two hens that are laying eggs. They both seem to found a spot to lay in the coop. One lays in one corner, the other lays in another corner. We put up some beautiful curtains to give them some "privacy" and make it dark, but they still have not gone in there? Do you know what it could be? One has layed 7 eggs now, and the other has layed 4. The next box is not up high, it is on ground level, but they are laying their egg on ground level, so not sure why they won't go in there. The nest box is almost 12X12, a little shorter maybe but close.

 

[AudieWarren]

Put their eggs in the boxes. They will scope it out and see it's a good spot.

 

[BantammChick]

Try some ceramic eggs?? Maybe that will help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Put in fake eggs if you haven't already, and maybe even try taking away the curtains, if that doesn't do the trick.

 

[aart]

Definitely fake eggs...and I would lose the curtains.
Might raise the top of nest, if easy to do, to about 16".
Also block where they have been laying on floor with a bucket or box or something.

 

[Chickassan]

Are they laying in the coop litter? I see your boxes look like they have pads of some sort in there, maybe try putting some nesting material in there instead. You can try shavings, hay, even leaves.

 

[chickens really]

Definitely try using bedding material. I have curtains too.

 

[aart]

I see your boxes look like they have pads of some sort in there, maybe try putting some nesting material in there instead.

I didn't notice that...for sure they'll want some bedding in there.
If those are roll out nests, you might have to start with bedding then slowly remove it once they are regularly laying in nests.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are living animals. We can't make them do anything but we can sometimes influence them. I've also had problems with that before. In spite of everything some just decide to not lay in the nest. Or even after they have been laying in a nest they decide to change. That can get really frustrating.

Some pullets seem to have control over the laying process from the get-go. About a week before they start laying they look for a good nesting site. Occasionally a rooster will help them in that search. They try out various places and when they lay that first egg they know where they are going. Others don't have that control. They may drop their first eggs wherever they happen to be, from the roosts or just walking around. But they normally gain that control pretty quickly and decide where they want to lay that egg.

I'm a firm believer that fake eggs can help a lot. It does not always work, remember they are living animals, but many pullets and hens like to lay where others are laying. Fake or real eggs can influence them to lay there. I have fewer problems with pullets not laying in the nests when I have others already laying in nests.

For some reason those two pullets decided that those corners were the best places to lay. Who knows why? Interesting they chose different corners. It could be that they don't like darker places. Maybe shadows made it look hidden. It is possible one dropped an egg there accidentally and decided since an egg was there it was a good place to lay. Did you keep the eggs cleaned up or leave them laying? Were those real nests open a week before they started to lay so they could check them out?

Regardless of why they are laying there, if they consistently lay there then those are where they have decided to lay. Hopefully you are collecting the eggs daily and not encouraging them to continue to lay there. I've never had success blocking the nest area, they just lay next to whatever I put there. Maybe someone else has had success. Still, it is one of the easiest things to try. It's worth a shot.

I made a couple of my nests so I could lock a chicken in them if I wished. It's come in handy for different reasons, this being one. When I have a hen or pullet laying somewhere other than the nests I catch them on their nest laying and lock them in a real nest until they lay that egg. Sometimes I can just pick them up, sometimes I have to chase them down with a fishing net. I lock the pop door before I start. I leave them locked in that nest until they lay an egg. Usually that takes about a half hour though I had one hen go 3 hours. Usually it only takes doing that once and she gets the message though I had to do that 3 hour hen twice. The challenge is catching them on the nest to start with. I'm retired so I can check often. Others may find that challenging.

I've never used this method but some people claim success. Put a temporary nest where they are laying, maybe just a cardboard box or a nest with a top. Use bedding and a fake egg. After they are used to laying in that box, gradually move it toward your real nests. Maybe a foot at most every three days. Hopefully she will follow that nest. When you get her to the area of your real nests take the temporary one away and see if she moves to your real nest. Or maybe you can move her to an acceptable location. Or if it is convenient, make a permanent nest in that corner. Mine always choose a spot where I would have to crawl in the chicken poop so that is not acceptable to me.

It can be a frustrating problem, many of us have been through it. Good luck!

 

[mrspeete]

I am struggling with similar issues with some of my hens...I have 7 and all have started laying although a couple of suddenly stopped. I'm guessing its the change in day light hours and haven't worried too much about it.

The annoying thing for me right now is I have a couple of hens that will sit in their favorite nesting boxes sometimes for an hour and then hop out and poop the dang egg on the floor....why???? and how can I make them stop? It's maddening!