New nest boxes… help!

[Chickchick121]

We just changed to roll our nest boxes and our oldest chickens are not laying in them but our new ones are.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get our chickens to lay in the new nest boxes instead of on the ground?
The old nesting boxes had straw and the new roll outs have artificial turf.

 

[DobieLover]

Why did you change to roll out boxes?

 

[Shadrach]

Artifcial turf is not a good choice for a nest box. Whatever mateial one chooses it needs to be born in mind that a hen is going to want to create a hollow in it in which to lay her eggs.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-make-a-sitting-hens-job-so-difficult.74389/

 

[Bac2wild]

put straw in the roll outs

 

[aart]

put straw in the roll outs

This^^^ at least one of them.
Just for long enough that the OG's start using them.
Then slowly remove the bedding.

 

[Chickchick121]

Why did you change to roll out boxes?

We got alot more chickens and needed more nest boxes so to make space we built new nest boxes and took out the old ones

 

[Saveria]

You can put fake eggs in them. You can find ceramic ones at most feed stores, but golf balls and such will work in a pinch.

 

[SituationalLefty]

We have been having the same problem. Dumped the artificial turf and switched to excelsior nesting pads. I don't know if these would work with rollout. Pullets love them because they can make their own big old dent in them, which seems to be a big part of the allure.