My new 16 week old hens are laying on the floor inside the coop and not using the nest boxes, any suggestions on how to encourage them to use the boxes. I've made them 14" on all sides and raised off the floor but lower than the perches. Maybe I'm just being impatient as this is only my 3 rd egg in three days layed o the floor and only 2 of my 12 hens are laying right now.
It seems like when they start out you can get some wild behavior but they will eventually figure it out. You could try putting in some fake or real eggs in the boxes and see if that helps.
Sometimes the feathered ladies just need a few lessons. If you can, find some wood or ceramic eggs and place them in the nesting boxes. They will want to lay next to them and your problem will be solved (most likely).
I had one that laid it's first egg in the run, but today she figured out how to use the nest box. I use golf balls to help them know where to lay.
We have five hens that have been laying for 3-4 months now. Every Blue Moon we will find an egg in the run but most of the time it is 5/5 in the same box, even thou they have six more boxes. Yours will figure it out.
I can't help but wonder if it could also be the heat? My girls have been laying for over a year now, and they know where the nesting boxes are, and always use the same one (don't know what they find objectionable about the other one), but during the summer I let them out every day for most of the day to enjoy the yard & they have taken to laying their eggs in a nice ceramic pot. There is dirt in the pot and a beautiful butterfly bush in the pot next to it providing pretty flowers & shade.... I wonder if it's just nicer outside & they prefer it to the hot & stuffy nesting box?
My grandma used the old procelain door knobs in the nest. Even had a rat snake try one once. She got that one back. But I suppose in todays world the golf ball is easier to come be.
