How you make them use the nest boxes?

[ninny]

I have a large free range flock that wont use the boxes. They are laying but we have to find the nests to get the eggs. I have sawdust in them now. Going swap that for straw, they seem to prefer it. Im gonna try a find a golf ball to put in them also.
How else can we get them to use the boxes?

 

[lauralou]

The golf balls are a good idea.

Maybe if you didn't let them free range for a few days, kept them locked up near the nestboxes, they would get the idea. My birds free range, but they always come back to the coop to lay in their boxes. I think it's just that they are in the habit of doing that.

 

[cmom]

I use golf balls in my nest boxes. Some people use fake eggs.

 

[Kelso]

Golf Balls, great idea, FORE...