How will girls find nesting boxes?!

[Egghead_Jr]

They will find them automatically, my chickens did not have a nest box so they braved going into the bigger goose shed passed a protective gander just so they could use the nest boxes in the goose shed. They love a nice cosy nest box, probably makes them feel safe and secure at a time, during laying their eggs, when they are most vulnerable to predators

Exactly this. They want secluded, dark, small protected areas. If they don't lay in the nests try closing them up some to make more inviting. Hearing your set up you should be fine but if they decide not to use them close up the openings to nests more to make them feel secure. Entrance to my nests are 9x9 inches. Each nest in itself is 12-13x12" and will have two birds laying in same box at one time.

 

[PingoBags]

chickens or nesting boxes?

they will only allow 5 hens in this city

2 nesting boxes -- but i don't even use them now a day--

simple removable nesting boxes

I meant chickens. I have a small coop too.
You must put the nesting boxes in the coop and remove them whenever you want, right?
I thought about doing that myself but decided to connect the box to the side of the coop, to avoid taking up space.
Did the same with the feeder, made a no spill box feeder out of wood that holds about a months worth of food, I fill it from outside the coop.

 

[BruceAZ]

I meant chickens. I have a small coop too.
You must put the nesting boxes in the coop and remove them whenever you want, right?
I thought about doing that myself but decided to connect the box to the side of the coop, to avoid taking up space.
Did the same with the feeder, made a no spill box feeder out of wood that holds about a months worth of food, I fill it from outside the coop.

yes. i only have 5 hens

i don't use the nesting boxes anymore (after trying them out for 2 days)..

they will lay each day in the specific corner of the coop then go outside in the run

so i didn't' see a need for the nest boxes


as for feed.. since it's usually 110+ here i don't put a lot of feed in their feeder each day

so just refill and change our their water each day

a gallon of cold water can turn into warm water (even when in the shade) around here

 

[Cooley gypsum]

I forgot to update! The girls laid one on the floor of the coop and since then all the eggs have been in the nesting boxes! Even after a coop move!

Thanks!
Anne

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Great! I'm glad everything is going well.

 

[Cluck-a-biddy]

We have 10 birdies. One has ended up being a rooster tho. Six are mature enough to lay. We made two long nesting box sections with 6 boxes in each one. The girls figured it out on their own. They mostly use the same box in the corner. Altho I've had eggs in two other boxes recently. They'll settle in and pick out their favorite spot as they become seasoned layers! I do find it funny tho, how they seem to mostly like the same one. Last week, I had one of the BSLs sitting in it, and one of the EEs decided it was time to lay her first egg. She was having a hissy fit that she couldn't convince the other hen to get off that nest so she could use it. She finally got down and used another box down lower in another corner. They're pretty entertaining.

 

[OrionDarkwood]

I can't speak for all chicken breeds but every chicken breed I have dealt with likes a nesting box that is shaded, dark and enclosed. Once you have that covered just sit back and don't spook them. In the beginning they will be very flighty over people watching the nesting boxes. But after a while most will be okay with you stepping in the coop, some of my will even let me pet them or check under them while they are in the nesting box. Lastly one thing we use as a dual purpose is Ceramic Nest Eggs, they are used to encourage hens to lay where you want them to. Also they work for distracting snakes and rats. Here is a link to what I am talking about - http://amzn.to/2cC0eJl