new nesting box...will they figure it out?

[roz]

I just put in two new nesting boxes. I had a row of 6 wooden boxes on the floor of the coop...they only used 2, so I decided to give them more leg room and removed the row. I replaced it with these cool plastic nesting boxes (only 2 of them) today that hang from the wall (they are hanging as high as their night time perch) and the only hen that laid an egg after hanging them laid it on the floor below the box. Do you think they'll eventually lay them in the nesting boxes?

 

[the Pollo Loco]

I would put some item (rock,etc.) in the place where she laid the egg that way she'll look for another place and eventually find the box you have placed for her...

 

[spacecowgirl]

I agree... put something in there to remind her that this is where to lay...a fake egg, a golf ball, a ping pong ball, or, as I mentioned in a previous post, a fishing bobber!! If it's round, it seems that they figure it out pretty quickly. Good luck!!

 

[RaZ]

Can you add a few more nesting boxes?
If so, try putting different substrates in them, ie. wood chips, straw, shredded paper, etc. They might be more interested in some substrates than others.

 

[BoltonChicken]

You don't say how many chickens you have, but one nesting area for three to four chickens is enough. The golf ball thing works well. Give it a try.

 

[mpare]

I have moved my nest box, along with two golf balls, numerous times and my three hens have had no problems figuring out where to lay their eggs. Hope the transition goes well for your girls.

 

[roz]

Thanks everyone! Turns out most of my girls had no trouble with the move. I have found a couple of eggs on the coop floor since yesterday when i changed it up, but this afternoon there were 3 eggs in the boxes...yippie!
Btw, I have 8 hens and 2 nesting boxes. I used to have 6 boxes (came with coop) but they would all pile into the same box anyway...so funny!