New chickens laying outside

[bugkiller]

So my Plymouth rocks just started laying on the weekend. The problem is they are laying out side the coop in the run. They make a nest on the ground out side. I tried removing the nest and placing the eggs in the nest box. Did not change. They just make a new nest. I am now trying putting the nest box outside where the nest was. They just kick the box around the run. Lol. Any tips???

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Make sure your nestboxes are appealing, dark, correct size, well bedded with lots of fake eggs or golf balls, not too high, and not too low, first layers can be a bit picky, hopefully they get the idea.

 

[aart]

Kicking the nest box around??

Makes me think the the nest is not stable/secure enough to feel like a safe place to lay.

Tell us more:
How many birds?
How big is coop(feet by feet)?
Pics of coop with nest(s) would really help.

 

[bugkiller]

The coop is 4x4 with a 4x8 run. Boxes are white rubber maid bins. I have used this setup for 5 years with no problems. Had to get new birds cause they stopped laying. I hatched my own chicks and they just started laying I have 4 Plymouth rocks.

 

[bugkiller]

I believe there is pics of my coop in my profile. I can't find them on my computer right now