Nesting boxes

[NCclucking]

I built a new coop, my girls wont use the new nesting boxes, is this normal or is this gonna become a larger problem?

 

[TelfTheElf]

I had this problem and i sorted it out by putting some rubber eggs in the nest box and the girls soon started laying in the proper place. Golf balls or something similar size may also work. Another thing is, are the nest boxes drafty, if they are the girls wont lay there!

 

[jthornton]

If they don't look like a safe place to lay the egg the pullets won't go in there... I use a community nest box so they don't squabble over a favorite one.


JT

 

[Folly's place]

Mine are repurposed plastic egg crates, on a shelf, with feed bags and then bedding, in the back of the coop, where it's a bit darker. Some birds will lay eggs in the corners of the coop for a while as pullets, but then they get the plan and use the nest boxes.
New layers can take a little time figuring it out.
It's not pretty, but it works.
Mary

 

[azygous]

How high are they off the floor? Did you provide a perch in front of the opening to the nest? Chickens need a landing when jumping up to get into a box.

 

[Feathers Brady]

had five gallon bucket nest boxes and built these after finding eggs everywhere but the nests. I put golf balls inside along with curtains for privacy. I'll send the finished product when we're done

 

[azygous]

Those ungrateful twerps! Those nests are gorgeous!

The problem is with your chickens. All chickens. They hate change. They hate being forced to deal with something new. But force is sometimes necessary.

I'm talking about confining them to the coop for a few days while they have no other alternative than to use the new nests. Golf balls will definitely help. Real eggs would be even better. Once one starts using one of the boxes, they will all suddenly discover the fabulous new nest box and all will soon be fighting over it.

I know. You built four lovely nest boxes, but hens generally will fight over or at least stand crowded in line to use just one. Kind of like Walmart with ten checkouts and no matter how crowded, they open only two or three. Maybe it's not exactly the same, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to take a slap at Walmart.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Those ungrateful twerps! Those nests are gorgeous!

The problem is with your chickens. All chickens. They hate change. They hate being forced to deal with something new. But force is sometimes necessary.

I'm talking about confining them to the coop for a few days while they have no other alternative than to use the new nests. Golf balls will definitely help. Real eggs would be even better. Once one starts using one of the boxes, they will all suddenly discover the fabulous new nest box and all will soon be fighting over it.

I know. You built four lovely nest boxes, but hens generally will fight over or at least stand crowded in line to use just one. Kind of like Walmart with ten checkouts and no matter how crowded, they open only two or three. Maybe it's not exactly the same, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity to take a slap at Walmart.

 

[HeyHo]

Hahahaha Walmart

 

[tripletfeb]

I don't mind walmart. You can get your oil changed, tires rotated, your hair cut, your nails done, your grocery shopping done, your banking done, prescriptions filled, and eat lunch, all in one place! Now if only it wasnt so crowded...