Looking for advice, Please Help!

[SkinnDogg]

Ok, so this is my third batch of egg layers in 10 years of having chickens. I got the new babies this spring and they have begun laying (quite well too).
Problem is, they are laying on the coop floor under the poop board way back in the corner! I have never had this issue before. So, a few weeks before they started laying I put fresh shavings in my nesting boxes with golf balls in them. The next day, the shavings were out and the golf balls were buried in the coop, so I put them back in the nesting boxes for days. They started laying, but under the poop board in the back of the coop which is quite difficult and gross getting to. So I decided to get the pretty and expensive ceramic eggs to put in the nesting boxes thinking they didn't get it. Well, still no luck. My next move was to put a cinder block where they were laying, yeah well that didnt' work either because they just layed right next to it. Then I tried putting bricks where the new laying spot was and they just layed right next to them also. It is extremely difficult to get the eggs and it is so frustrating because this has never happened before. I need tome chicken people's help here! Please, let me know if you can think of any way to get these dummies to lay in the darn nesting boxes.
Thank you!!!

 

[Mace Gill]

Ok, so this is my third batch of egg layers in 10 years of having chickens. I got the new babies this spring and they have begun laying (quite well too).
Problem is, they are laying on the coop floor under the poop board way back in the corner! I have never had this issue before. So, a few weeks before they started laying I put fresh shavings in my nesting boxes with golf balls in them. The next day, the shavings were out and the golf balls were buried in the coop, so I put them back in the nesting boxes for days. They started laying, but under the poop board in the back of the coop which is quite difficult and gross getting to. So I decided to get the pretty and expensive ceramic eggs to put in the nesting boxes thinking they didn't get it. Well, still no luck. My next move was to put a cinder block where they were laying, yeah well that didnt' work either because they just layed right next to it. Then I tried putting bricks where the new laying spot was and they just layed right next to them also. It is extremely difficult to get the eggs and it is so frustrating because this has never happened before. I need tome chicken people's help here! Please, let me know if you can think of any way to get these dummies to lay in the darn nesting boxes.
Thank you!!!

Take a couple of their actual eggs ... after dark, put them I the nesting boxes so they are there in the morning. You might also try some nesting herbs.

 

[member 373180]

Can you catch one or two of them at it, pick them up and put them in the nest box as they're getting ready to lay in the bad spot? Then mess up any little nest they have made.

 

[lazy gardener]

I had a pullet who was doing a similar thing. I blocked the entire area with plywood, I put noxious plants there (garlic) Finally, I caught her in the spot, and immediately took her to a nest box. Every time she tried to exit, I'd block her with my hand till she stayed put. Problem solved.

Where are your nest boxes? Are they raised? Perhaps you need to play their own game, but play it better than them. Give them a nest box on the floor. And give them a nice thick layer of hay.