How do I get my ladies to use the nesting box?

[johnjenn2004]

I found my first egg this morning broken under the roost. How do I get my ladies to use the nesting box. I have posted pictures of my nesting box for any hints. I have 6 red stars and a rookie. I built my coop myself so any help will be appreciated.

 

[junebuggena]

It's very normal for a newly laying pullet to 'accidentally' lay an egg while still roosting.It takes them a few weeks to get the hang of it. Just be patient. It's also common for new layers to lay eggs without shells or to lay an egg and then not lay anything for over a week. It takes time for everything to start working together with some sort of regularity.

 

[johnjenn2004]

ok thanks for the information. I usually let them free range in the late afternoon early evening. Should I continue to do that or keep them in their coop and run until they get the hang of it.

 

[junebuggena]

Keep them in the coop until they are consistently laying in the boxes. Letting them range in the evenings is fine, most don't lay eggs past 3 or 4 in the afternoon.

 

[johnjenn2004]

Thank you so much for your help

 

[ramsey590]

No worries, I think I found 3 eggs from my 5 girls outside the boxes. I didnt do anything. I think it's just natural behavior to end up laying in the boxes. All 5 of my girls lay in two boxes, one box they won't touch..

 

[yellowchicks]

I found my first egg this morning broken under the roost. How do I get my ladies to use the nesting box. I have posted pictures of my nesting box for any hints. I have 6 red stars and a rookie. I built my coop myself so any help will be appreciated.

Try to make the nest boxes cozier by painting the interior a darker color, add a higher lip at the entrance, so it feels more like a private nesting area. If your girls lay brown eggs, then paint the fake eggs the same color. Add some filler to make the weight of the fake plastic eggs more realistic. Put a couple more fake eggs in the nest box so the chickens can see them. Since the chickens lay eggs kind of half standing up, put just enough bedding materials to cushion the eggs.

 

[johnjenn2004]

Thanks, I will add a lip tomorrow.

 

[Mini Meat]

I use grass hay in the nest boxes the hens seem to like it better than shavings. It holds a "nest shape" better. You could use straw but that might harbor mites.

 

[johnjenn2004]

I added a lip. Should I also paint the box black? This forum is so so so helpful.