No Interest in Nesting Boxes

[Smoot178]

I have 10 young chickens, one of which squatted for the first time today. I am due for my first eggs any day now.

About a week ago I put these nesting boxes in. There was a lot of interest the first few days and now the chickens all but ignore them. I have never seen a chicken go in one even watching my cameras all day. The best I got was sticking their heads inside but not going in.

Should I expect usage out of them once they start laying? Or are these a bust and I should put a different kind in there?

The white eggs are ceramic.

 

[Spartan22]

You are good, they will use it in due time, unless your getting eggs on the ground?

 

[ChickenGal1842]

One way to get them interested is put their feathers that fall into the nesting boxes and if they lay their eggs out of them, put them into the nesting box for a few hours before taking them so they can see.

 

[mill-j]

I think they invented/manufacturer fake eggs just for a situation like this.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

Good idea!! I forgot to say that I have put wooden eggs before!!

 

[Spartan22]

I think they invented/manufacturer fake eggs just for a situation like this.

If you look at the photos I think there are 2 fake eggs in them.

 

[mill-j]

Oops I missed that detail even though it's plainly written in the post...

 

[Smoot178]

They are all the same ish age. No eggs yet. I will probably keep them locked up until lunch time to make sure the first egg is laid in the coop. They free range during the day in a very large yard.

 

[RodNTN]

They'll learn to use them, I think we sometimes forget how smart chickens are

 

[aart]

Was going to say they need better perches, but I looked closely and see that those have a wider and flatter perch than most I've seen on those type nests. Nice set up, no need for different nests

Squatting can come several weeks before eggs....you'll know that eggs are truly imminent when you see those nests all messed up.

Other signs:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
If their pelvic points are spread and they're still not using nests,
or you find eggs elsewhere,
you may want to confine them to coop and run.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.