Newbie Egg Laying Question

[ni22]

I have 5 buff orpington girls who could start laying in the next few weeks. I free range them from sun up to sun down but I do have a run attached to the coop. Until now I have been using my nesting boxes as storage space because I didn't want them sleeping in them instead of using the roost but now I am thinking about getting their nesting boxes set up so hopefully they will notice the fake eggs in them. Anyhow, I need tips that people have about teaching free range hens to lay in the nesting boxes. I really don't want my children and dog finding rotten hidden eggs if I can avoid it! Thanks!

 

[chickensnewtome]

I am a newbie also but I have heard that golf balls and fake eggs will help. If you put them up every night by the nest boxes that will help. I heard that chickens lay in the morning so if they have access to the nest boxes that will be good. Good luck!

 

[ni22]

I am going to try some rocks that resemble eggs since I don't have any golf balls or fake eggs and they do have 24 hour access to the nest boxes, I leave the coop door open all day.