Introducing new nesting boxes

[OzarkChooks]

My husband turned a previous livestock pen into a covered run because hawks have been picking our birds off left and right. In a covered shed we have set up some bucket nesting boxes. So far they are not impressed. I'm also not sure if they know what they are. Will they use these new boxes? How can I make them more appealing to the girls?

 

[Obsessed With Silkies]

You might could try putting some ceramic eggs or golf balls in them

 

[OzarkChooks]

You might could try putting some ceramic eggs or golf balls in them

That's a good idea. Don't know why I didn't move those out of their coop nesting boxes

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Are they laying currently? I just add new things thay they might like and let them figure it out. So far winners are sideways feed buckets

 

[OzarkChooks]

Are they laying currently? I just add new things thay they might like and let them figure it out. So far winners are sideways feed buckets

About half of them are laying. Some not very frequently due to winter I think. They are just focused on trying to escape the pen and get back to their coop's nesting boxes. They have never been penned up before, always free ranged.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Are they laying currently? I just add new things thay they might like and let them figure it out. So far winners are sideways feed buckets

What's a "feed bucket"? Is it like the 5 gall buckets that paint comes in?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What's a "feed bucket"? Is it like the 5 gall buckets that paint comes in?

Cat litter and rubber buckets. I'll get pics when I get home.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Cat litter and rubber buckets. I'll get pics when I get home.

Great. Thank you!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Great. Thank you!

Over and over they pick the bucket. The bin lip must be too tall for them. But they'll gladly settle into it when in a broody daze

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Over and over they pick the bucket. The bin lip must be too tall for them. But they'll gladly settle into it when in a broody dazeView attachment 3273827View attachment 3273828

Heyyy, I think we have a chick that looks like this one . Very pretty feathers. I believe ours is an Ameraucana.