How to convince the girls to use the nesting boxes

[lindym]

So the 4 (maybe 5, don't know for sure on one) girls have a large (each nest is about 18" square) lovely 4-plex made from a birch plywood cabinet. Clean straw, a front porch to enter the nest from, one golf ball apiece (hint, hint) BUT THEY WON'T EVEN CHECK IT OUT

. We have had 3 eggs over the past 6 days, all on the floor. One was right beside the opening to their run, it luckily wasn't stepped on!

The other evening about roosting time I went in and quietly placed one hen in each nest, they stayed there until the roo started flapping around and then everyone bailed, not that I want them to sleep there, I just wanted them to be aware of the space. Ummmm, maybe they were already asleep

Any hints? Thanks

Linda

 

[fordmommy]

I think you should just keep putting them in there every now and again. They should get the hint. Maybe you could try a bag pine shavings until they get the hint. My girls really like that. And a big bag is only $5.00-$6.00. You wouldn't have to use it forever if you didn't want to.

But just keep it in the nesting boxes only until they get the hint.

 

[kathyinmo]

Sure wish I knew the answer! I have 2 Silkies laying for the past 2 weeks. Not one in a nest! Today one came over and sat beside my lawn chair, and layed her egg right there!

My larger flock (40 hens) are 16 weeks old. No eggs yet, and not one of them has even checked out the wall of nests. Wouldn't you think they would be curious?

 

[journey11]

Might be too big...maybe they want it a little cozier. Mine are 12w x 12h x 14deep. You might also try hanging a small flap of burlap curtain or something to give them a little privacy while the do their thing. Mine like it...makes them think they're sneaky. Ha.

 

[Judy]

Show them the nest boxes in the morning, not at night; you may have confused them. They might prefer pine shavings, you never know, but plenty of folks use straw or hay.

Check the boxes carefully for critters and sharp places. Darkening them might help, as suggested. Try dusting them with permethrin dust, and dust the birds, too, off the roost at night. Maybe add a bit of ventilation to the boxes if it is hot and stuffy in them. Try a different type of nesting box, an open top container on the coop floor, perhaps, just a cardboard box or milk crate is fine.

If they are just starting to lay, they will often lay in odd places for a week or two, til they get in the swing of things.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Sometimes it helps to put a fake egg into the nest, so they'll get the idea that that is what it's for

 

[19Dawn76]

I had this same problem until my mother ( who laughs at my chicken hobby) tells me that her mother used to put fake eggs in the nest.

This worked like a charm!! They like to lay where there are other eggs.

 

[kathyinmo]

I did put a golf ball in the Silkie nest. The nest is a kitty litter box, I thought that would be a good size for a small silkie. I use pine shavings. Should I change and buy straw or hay for the nest? What about a nesting pad?

ETA: Can you buy wooden or ceramic eggs somewhere besides online?

 

[ysandoz]

Hi,

I found that the local feed stores carry fake eggs. They are pretty cheap. I found some plastic unmarked white golf balls and used them in my nest boxes. They only lay eggs in the ones that are at the end that are darker. I might also put a cover over the nest boxes since they seem to like it darker. A guy I know has two small coops. One is just for nesting and only has a doggie door, so it is dark. They lay all of their eggs in there and the other is the roosting coop. I don't have space for that, but it works amazing for him.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm pretty new at this too, but here's what worked for me.


I put 3 fake eggs (2 fake eggs and 1 golf ball) in 1 nesting box. (I have 4) I figured that they would look more like a clutch. I've noticed that I have some chickens that will ONLY lay in with the fake eggs (or with somebody elses egg), and some that want an empty nest. My BR will stand there squawking if there's an egg in "her" nest.

My Orpington still chose to lay her eggs on the floor of the coop for a week, then she got the idea. Now everyone lays in the boxes.

I also have shavings in my nesting boxes.

Good luck!