My Girls will not use the nesting box

[johnjenn2004]

Today, out of 4 eggs that have been laid, 3 have been in the nesting box. Hopefully this trend will conintue as all 6 start laying.

 

[5770amber]

We put 2 golf balls in every box and they laid in the box straight away

 

[johnjenn2004]

All the suggestions were great. I think they are figuring it out

 

[aart]

All the suggestions were great. I think they are figuring it out

Great!!

 

[BenandHelen]

Our ladies have just started laying and are doing so outside under a big log! Their nesting boxes appear to be the same size as the ones pictured by johnjenn2004. Should I put a bucket or something under the log to block where they are laying? Would that encourgage them to use the nesting boxes? We have ceramic egg in each of the boxes. Maybe I could try making the openings a little smaller or the boxes darker? Any suggestions would be Great!!

 

[aart]

Our ladies have just started laying and are doing so outside under a big log! Their nesting boxes appear to be the same size as the ones pictured by johnjenn2004. Should I put a bucket or something under the log to block where they are laying? Would that encourgage them to use the nesting boxes? We have ceramic egg in each of the boxes. Maybe I could try making the openings a little smaller or the boxes darker? Any suggestions would be Great!!

Keep them cooped up for a few days.
Can you post a pic of your nests?

 

[BenandHelen]

I will get pics of the nests and will try cooping them up for the next 36 hours or so.

 

[johnjenn2004]

I painted mine darker, put a lip on it, and put a bucket where they were laying plus kept them cooped up. It took a few days but they got the hang of it.

 

[aart]

I will get pics of the nests and will try cooping them up for the next 36 hours or so.

Don't think 36 hours is long enough...at least a few days, to a week or so.

 

[BenandHelen]

So one pic is the view from outside with the cover open. The other is the view inside the coop.

The nights ahve been "frosty" here so we have the water heater plugged in at night. I know it is not much heat, but it may contribute to one of the younger hens sitting on the lip of the nesting box at night and doing her business in there on occassion. I will move the water further from the nesting box. You can see a ceramic egg in each of the boxes.

Tonight we when we shut t he coop we will leave it closed for a couple of days at least. to see if they use the boxes.