How to get my chickens to use the nesting boxes?

[Farmer Mike S]

I have two laying chickens. I opened my nesting boxes up about 10 days ago and got my first egg two days after that. So far my two laying hens have been laying consistently in two different corners in the coop, not the nesting boxes. I'm also trying the golf ball trick. Here's my boxes:

The nesting boxes are 14" tall in the front(10" with the board there), 12" wide, 12" deep, and 12" tall in the back. Does anyone have ideas? And does it matter that the golf balls are white and my chickens lay brown eggs?

 

[Studio2770]

They should get the idea sometime. As far as the color goes, I don't think it matters. Hopefully someone else can give you a better answer.

 

[Mehjr10]

Give them some time, they will get the hang of it. White is what I use for mine. Load it well with shavings, to see if that encourages them.

 

[Loghousemom]

I have never had luck using golf balls, but I have placed a real egg in the nest in the early morning or late late evening to show those girls where to lay.

I cannot tell from the pics, but I have also found that having a small "roost" along the front of the boxes helps them get in and out. And my chickens also prefer straw to shavings in the nests. So maybe one of those things might work.

Have you seen them checking the boxes out at all?

 

[Mrs Rebecca]

Color hasn't mattered for me. I use bright green, blue and yellow Easter eggs. I also use straw. They love to arrange it and swirl it around. Their first few eggs were laid in the run, I think after they figured out what they were making, they started laying them in the nest boxes.