New layers are laying on their roost, not tried and true laying boxes?

[vttoad05452]

Help? My new layers (and my old, out of molt hens) are laying on their roost, and not in their laying boxes. What can I do? And dies anyone have a suggestion as to where/what to buy for dummy eggs? Maybe I can teach them using dummy eggs?? What kind of eggs work best...wooden or plastic or ?
In Essex, VT

 

[Solsken Farm]

I have used golf balls and they worked pretty well. Finally I found some great wooden eggs at KMART in their toy food dept. Those worked great.

Make sure your boxes are at the right height (18" from the floor or so) and are big enough. Also make sure they have enough hay/sawdust.

Sometimes new chooks don't understand the egg thing and the eggs just slide out.

I think if the boxes are comfortable, they will get the idea.

My free rangers, sometimes lay all over the place, instead of their boxes.

Even if I lock them in for a week or two, they go back to the hayloft.

 

[vttoad05452]

Thanks, Jennifer.
I'll hit my boss up for some old golf balls. Our boxes have always been about 8" off the ground...I'll raise them up a bit.

 

[cmom]

I have golf balls in my nest boxes. There are pics on my BYC Page.

 

[cmom]

Make sure your roosts are higher than your nest boxes. If not the birds may sleep in them and you may get poopy eggs.

 

[miss jay's mama]

As far as fake eggs go, I use plastic easter eggs. And with the way stores like to rush holidays you should be able to get them very soon

 

[A.J.'s]

Quote:
I visited your site and Im so impressed with your chickens and your sit up. now tell me.. How do you have chickens and no poop?
Have ur chickens ever pooped or do you walk behind them with a cleaner? Are the potty trained to go outside, if so where do they poop outside? there is no visible proof that they have ever pooped.
this aint natural. are your chickens artificial? stuffed?
again this just aint natural. lol