how to ensure hens use nesting boxes

[krudolph]

I have eight hens due to lay soon, sometime this month I believe. When my husband built the coop he made nesting boxes inside already. I've placed straw in the boxes, litter everywhere else. Will the girls know to go to the box? Yesterday I noticed one of the buffs acting like she was nest building in the litter. How do I get them to use the boxes?

 

[moonflowers]

My chickens are just about to start as well. We just uncovered our nest boxes, filled them with shavings and placed two fake eggs in each. I am new to chickens but my guess is that is she's in there making a nest that's a good sign. If you don't have any fake eggs, golf balls will also work. Good luck!

 

[Sitka]

They are attracted to a dim and protected place for the nest. Some people put a curtain of some sort in front of it to make it darker and more "private." However, some hens just like to lay on the ground or wherever.

 

[fowler_chick]

i'm new to chickens also but i hird that you shouldn't put your nesting boxes in till you start finding eggs.

 

[kar8mr]

i have to different pens for my chicken.My older girls i put in nesting box a month early and knew it was for.So i tryed this sam thing with my younger chickens, but i belive they like playing hide the egg and watch her hunt.lol because they will hide them and not use the nest.

 

[Mahonri]

Golf balls and fake eggs help... they see them there and for some reason it triggers the "Hey, this looks like a good place to put an egg" response.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. I have golf balls in my nest boxes.