How to train a new layer to lay in nest box?

[HonkABC]

My first chicken in a while, a Cochin, laid her first egg, but it was on top of a wall in a nest she had made. I wanted her to lay in a nest box, so when she went onto the wall to lay an egg, I moved her to a nest box and blocked off the opening so she would not get out. After an hour, she still had not laid an egg, and when I let her out, she went straight to her nest on the wall and laid her egg. I removed the ladder she used to go up the wall after she laid her egg. Is their any way to train her or my other pullets (not yet laying) to lay in the nest box? Thank you.

 

[WingItRanch]

Do you have fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes? That is how I "trained" mine. Works like a charm. I don't ever remove my fake wooden eggs. Leave them there indefinitely but mark them because they're pretty realistic to the untrained eye.

It's completely normal for them to lay in random places at first. Once they get the hang of it and feel the urge coming, they'll have more time to get in the nest boxes.

 

[Penpal]

I think when you moved her off the wall she got upset and froze up. Since you know when she will lay, more or less, an hour before she is due lock her in the coop with a few little treats and a couple of friends. Fake egg in place.

 

[HonkABC]

I will try that. Thank you!

 

[aart]

Could you post pics of this 'wall' and the nests?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Another way to "lock them in" (depending on how your nests are set up) is to put the bird in the nest but with some restricted space in front. For me that would mean putting an open cage in front of the nest box, so she can go in and out of the nest and thus doesn't feel as trapped, but is still being kept in the vicinity of the nest box.

If your coop isn't all that big the above should not be necessary. If it's huge that would help restrict her to a much smaller area.

 

[HonkABC]

Could you post pics of this 'wall' and the nests?

I will do it tomorrow because it is dark now.

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

My first chicken in a while, a Cochin, laid her first egg, but it was on top of a wall in a nest she had made. I wanted her to lay in a nest box, so when she went onto the wall to lay an egg, I moved her to a nest box and blocked off the opening so she would not get out. After an hour, she still had not laid an egg, and when I let her out, she went straight to her nest on the wall and laid her egg. I removed the ladder she used to go up the wall after she laid her egg. Is their any way to train her or my other pullets (not yet laying) to lay in the nest box? Thank you.

I recommend using fake eggs or if you have real eggs those will work too, you can also try to block off the spot that she has been laying at if possible. My hens did this too at first but it's helpful if you have older hens to show the pullets where to lay. It kinda like copy cat for Chickens, they can learn from each other.

 

[CrazyChickenLady123]

You could also try to add there favorite treats in the nesting box to make them comfortable with that area.

 

[HonkABC]

I do not have older hens, but I will try using golf balls.