How Do I Train My Hen To Use Nesting Boxes?

[Headers Hen House]

My blue orpington just started laying eggs, finally! The one problem is that she isnt using the nesting boxes in the coop.

How do i train her to start using the nesting boxes? She's been laying the eggs in the coop on the floor bed. I have another hen that hasnt started laying yet, but I'd like to get her going on the nesting boxes as well.

 

[Dawnjanell]

Fake eggs or golf balls in the nests.

 

[chickenmama109]

when my hens started laying i put fake eggs in there and you can also use golf balls but the fake eggs look real good luck with your hens

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

It takes some time. Have you seen her investigating the boxes at all? Posting a photo of your setup can help us see things from your hens perspective and spot potential things making the boxes uninviting.

 

[aart]

Fake eggs.....


....and this.

It takes some time. Have you seen her investigating the boxes at all? Posting a photo of your setup can help us see things from your hens perspective and spot potential things making the boxes uninviting.

 

[lazy gardener]

What OGM said.

Occasionally, there will be a gal who is totally resistant to convention. I had such a gal. I blocked her chosen corner. She went to the other corner. I blocked that corner. She kept moving around on the coop floor like the Queen on a chess board. I put stinky stuff in all the corners. (garlic scapes) I then had garlic scented eggs. Finally, I caught her in egg laying mode, and picked her up and set her in a nest box. Of course she immediately tried to escape. I did a body block and kept her there. She laid her egg there, and never went back to the floor again.

 

[Headers Hen House]

I put one egg in each box then tossed her in there...

Right idea?

We found 2 rogue eggs in the yard this morning, I think she laid them within the last couple days out there.

 

[aart]

I put one egg in each box then tossed her in there...

Right idea?

Yep!
But......I think a perch in front of nests would help a great deal,
a 2x2 about 6-8" in front of nests, so she can jump up on perch and pick a nest.
Have you ever seen her, or evidence that she's been, in the nests checking things out?

 

[lazy gardener]

What are you using for bedding in the nest? I suggest that you give her a nice deep bed of hay or straw. If it's shavings, there's little to attract her to the nest b/c the floor of the coop is the same.

 

[Mimiruu]

Dummy eggs helped me a lot. I do have 2 chickens that still do not want to use the nest boxes, but now that is just part of their quirks.