My Hens are laying eggs but will not get in their coop and nest boxes !

[clovercrazy82]

Ok so this is my 1st time trying to raise chickens and we built a really nice coop and run my hens and rooster refuse to get in it ! We have even made the entrance and ramp to the coop bigger. I have put them in it trying to get them to like it and blocked off the place they like to sleep . I'm worried because my hens started laying 3 days ago and they are just having them in the middle of the run ! Does any one have any suggestions for me ? I would greatly appreciate it ! Thank you

 

[GardenGal]

Have you tried locking them in their coop for a couple days? With lots of treats, of course! Also, plastic eggs are really handy for encouraging hens to lay in certain places.

You might put a light in the coop for a few nights after their confinement. Just leave it on long enough to go in and settle down. Good luck!

 

[clovercrazy82]

I have locked them up for like 5 hours with their food and water (what do you give your for treats ?) and they have golf balls in their nest boxes and the coop has a light and heat lamp but the lamp is off since I'm in Oklahoma and its already in the high 90's. I worry about them getting to hot being locked in there it has windows that are open do you think they will be ok ?

 

[chickenbythesea]

we had the same problem when we started out. We tried locking them up, and doing the golf ball thing and nothing worked. They'd actually throw the golf balls out. They would build their nest either in the run or in the coop in the bedding. I got so tired of trying to coerce them into the boxes that I just let them be. About a couple months later they started using the boxes on their own: i have no idea why. And now that it's starting to warm up again, they're building nests again. I figure they do what they like. Yours might like the golf balls or they may just lay where they want.

 

[TNdeedoll]

Mine are not laying yet, about 3 weeks out but they won't go in their coop either. They have started sleeping on the slanted roof of the coop.
Their run is totally enclosed so they are safe. I have tried a couple of different things, but I think it is the heat in TN like OK.
They were fine in their coop at night until it got hot and I began leaving their door open. Now they don't go in at all. I am curious where I will find eggs as they have a dirt floor in the run!
I decided they are happy so I won't worry. It may be different once eggs begin.
Good Luck, many of us are all still learning, what many have known for years, thanks to this forum.

 

[Mrsfoote]

Do you have a picture of your coop and nest box set up, are the nest boxes in a quiet and dark area?

 

[jenifry]

I am rather new to this chicken business.... but my dad had a helpful hint for me. Wait for night, when they are sleeping, wherever they are and "steal" them into the coop. They will always use the same place they roosted the night before, so let them wake up in the coop. They should use it again the next night. I got my hens from a neighbor, and used this process, and mine use my little tiny coop just fine. It might take a try or two, but it worked for me the first night!