Not using nesting boxes

[Cynthia75]

I have 4 girls that are currently laying and they won’t use the nesting boxes. The girls have a large run (don’t free range) and a large coop where there roosts and boxes are. They just lay in the pine shavings. They were laying in the poop under the roost and I was able to get them to move from under there but can’t get them to use the boxes. I have tried leaving their eggs in there, using ping pong balls, ceramic eggs, moving them to the box when they go in to lay. Nothing had worked. Now that they aren’t laying on the poop anymore it isn’t that big of a deal that they don’t use the boxes, I was just hoping I could get them to use them

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What do they look like?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photographs of the boxes will help a lot.

Also if these girls are new to laying (or new to your household) and you can figure out when they're likely to lay, you can try placing them in the box when they start looking around for a spot. I did that with some of my new layers this year, just put them in and blocked up the entrance for about 30 seconds until they started exploring it a bit. Most of them got the hang of it after that.

 

[aart]

Yes, please, pics of nests and inside of coop.
How old are birds and how long have they been laying?
Do you have other birds using the nests?

 

[b_racin_gurl]

I'm having the same problem! Ugh... my girls are brand new to laying, only 3 eggs so far (yay!!!) They are all roughly 20-23 weeks old. Pictures attached, their nesting boxes are below the roosting board... not sure if I have a better photo or not.

I have 11 ladies: 3 easter Eggers, 2 production reds, 6 black sex link

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm having the same problem! Ugh... my girls are brand new to laying, only 3 eggs so far (yay!!!) They are all roughly 20-23 weeks old. Pictures attached, their nesting boxes are below the roosting board... not sure if I have a better photo or not.
View attachment 1878680 View attachment 1878681
I have 11 ladies: 3 easter Eggers, 2 production reds, 6 black sex link

They are buckets? I haven't used buckets. They may be unsure or uncomfortable in them. They also look a bit hard to get into.

 

[aart]

Pictures attached, their nesting boxes are below the roosting board... not sure if I have a better photo or not.

Would be nice to see a pic taken from lower down.
Do you have fake eggs in the nests?
Any sign they've been checking them out?
Is there a gap between back of poop board and wall?
Looks like some poop on landing board in front of nests.

 

[b_racin_gurl]

Would be nice to see a pic taken from lower down.
Do you have fake eggs in the nests?
Any sign they've been checking them out?
Is there a gap between back of poop board and wall?
Looks like some poop on landing board in front of nests.

The poop in front is from them walking up there, no way for the poop to come down from the poop board. No fake eggs or golf balls of any sort, I was not fully prepared for the laying. My easter Eggers get up there all the time (which is where the poop comes from) but I do not believe they are laying yet. Prior to putting the nesting boxes in all of the girls had been getting up there. It appears that it may be time to redesign the nesting boxes.... oh well learning experience!