How do I get my free range chickens to lay in the nesting boxes?

[kylen2007]

I am new to chickens. I currently have 6 EEs pullets, 5 Jersey Giant pullets (I call them my Jersey Girls), and my rooster Claude. I got them all at the same time and they are 16 weeks. I have read the EEs probably wont
Lay until closer to 20 wks but some of their faces are red. Also one of my EEs waddles are coming in and I have seen her squat for Claude twice. My concern is I typically leave the gate open and just let them free range but I dont want to have to go on an easter egg hunt for my eggs. They have a run but I live in the country and they are much happier not cooped up. They all put themselves to bed arouns 830-9. I know my jersey girls have awhile before they will lay. What do I do to get the EEs (whenever they start laying) to do it in the mesting boxes?

 

[aart]

I'd keep them confined once they start laying to establish the good habit of laying in the coop nests,
they'll get over their 'unhappiness' of being confined. Plus you can let them out later in the afternoon to range.
You might want to slowly start to confine them more and more now so they get used to it before they start to lay.

Put some fake eggs and/or golf balls in the nests to 'bait' them,
if they see an 'egg' in there they'll know it's a 'safe' place to lay.

 

[kylen2007]

I have golf balls in them but every time i put bedding in there they go in and kick it out. Its a constant battle. Do you have a suggestion on getting them to stop? Also around what time is good to let them free range? They cant hold an egg in can they and wait to lay when i let them out lol. Like how we hold it if we have to pee. Sorry such a silly question but i have a couple of ornery hens that would do that if they could.

 

[aart]

The front of the nest should be about 4-6" high...that should keep the bedding inside.
They do a lot of scratching around at first, they will settle down with that once they start laying regularly.
What are you using for bedding?
Can you post a pic of your nests?

They might hold it until let out. It can take while before they get good control.

 

[kylen2007]

Grr i cant get the photos to load. I will try later. The lip isnt very big but im concerned my jersey giants wont be able to get in if i make the opening much smaller. My pekins sleep in two of my 7 nesting boxes. (I am contemplating a duck house in the run for them bc i have two more pekin ducklings.) i currently use straw which is currently all over the floor of the coop. I use sand and pine shavings in the rest of the coop.

 

[kylen2007]

 

[kylen2007]

 

[aart]

I think you could add a couple inches to the lip....how high is the opening?
Maybe add to all but one or two?

 

[kylen2007]

I cant remember i want to say we did 14 inches.