How to get one hen to lay in nesting box?

[Ridgerunner]

So she is making her nest there instead of dropping it from the roost. That's good to have confirmed.

The way I break a hen from laying somewhere other than the nest is that I built a couple of my nests so I could lock a hen in there if I wanted to. When I catch her laying where I don't want her to, I catch her and lock her in the good nest until she lays an egg. That usually takes about a half hour but I had one take three hours. Usually once is all it takes.

I haven't tried this myself but some people say it has worked for them. Make a nest out of a box and put it where she is laying. Rig it so she doesn't tip it over if she perches on the side. After she is used to laying in that nest gradually move it a foot or so at a time toward where you want her to lay. It can take a while but be patient. When you get her where you want her to lay take that box away and see if she moves to your nest.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have a similar method to Ridgerunner's above where I wait until the bird in question looks ready to lay (heading to their preferred nesting spot) and then catch and place her in a nest box. Then I block her in with my arms until she starts exploring around the box and considering it for use. If I start moving away (30-60 sec is all I've needed) and she stays put, I leave her to it. They seem to take to the nest box after that.

 

[Mvan42]

Thanks everyone. I hope catching her and moving here to the nest box with her egg worked if not I will try to watch for her and put her in a nesting box as you said above. Just gotta find time to watch for her to be ready to lay. I have five of the lavender Orpingtons and can’t tell them apart.. yep it was one of the young ones doing it, which I assumed, I also assumed she would go to the box by herself once she figured things out... hard headed chickens...

 

[Mvan42]

So far so good. Two days and all eggs are in the nesting boxes.... *KNOCK ON WOOD* a good lecture on how she wasn't laying her eggs in the right spot and moving her with the fresh laid egg to the right spot... lol. At least I hope it worked.