My chickens won't lay in my "egg box"!

[Brahma Mamma]

Hey Everyone!

I am pretty new at taking care of chickens. This winter, we got some free chickens through craigslist. The first flock are Light Brahmas (6 hens, 1 rooster) and one Rockport hen. The second flock are "barnyard" chickens with mixed origins. One of them lays smaller green eggs and another lays small light tan eggs. We built an egg box that has 4 boxes, 2 on top and 2 below. It is big and roomy (about 3' x 3'). We followed an eggbox displayed here in the coop section. Here's the problem: the hens won't lay in it! There is straw and pine chips in it. I added a small piece of cardboard on each box to make them a little more "enclosed" recently. They laid some eggs in the box for a few days after that but then went back to their regular spot.

The egg box is centered between the shed wall and the outdoor chicken door. They all lay in the farthest corner! What can I do to get them to lay in the box?

 

[becky3086]

Leave one of their eggs in the box.

 

[Brahma Mamma]

Okay, I'll try that! Thank you!

 

[panner123]

Chickens are funny about where they lay. More the box to the corner. They don't feel safe laying where the box is. They want it away from the door.

 

[aussieheelr]

I keep golf balls in mine. I didn't have any floor layers until I got new birds then they eventually figured it out about 2 months later.

 

[Brahma Mamma]

Thanks everyone! I have put eggs in the box and we are going to move the box to the corner too. I like the golf ball idea!

 

[kipper]

Yes, move it to the darkest, quietest part of the coop. It's the perfect time of year to buy fake eggs, they will be on clearance tomorrow! Buy a bag of eggs at JoAnn or Michaels (they have nice solid ones that don't open) and put one or two in each box. Good luck!

 

[Brahma Mamma]

So....I went out to check on the "place an egg in the box" strategy and the chickens had MOVED the two bottom box eggs out of the box and laid another egg with them. Chickens are great entertainment!