Not using their boxes?

[Big dreams]

Not sure if this has much to do with it but, mine were all using the nesting boxes, then I cleaned the coop and added extra shavings for winter.... now some have decided to lay on the coop floor.... Have to make the nesting boxes better then the nice fluffy shavings on the floor...

I guess.

 

[FURSANDFEATHERS]

My nest boxes are home made wood boxes and are 12x12x18. I am using coastal horse hay for bedding. The boxes are on the hen house floor. The hen house is 3 ft off the ground. My WRock hens a very heavy and I'm wondering if the boxes are not large enough. Has anyone every used shredded paper?

 

[NotTheMomma]

Quote:
I have white rock hens as well. They lay in a 12x12 metal nesting box. I am not sure how tall each nesting area is. I did put a plastic milk crate on the floor under the nesting boxes because I was afraid they weren't going to fit into the nests! They are some big hens!! LOL! I've seen different hens in the milk crate, and sometimes a WR will jump in that nest while another hen is in it!!

 

[FURSANDFEATHERS]

I have a couple of milk crates. I'll get hubs to cut one side for an opening. My boxes don't have a top. Could that be the problem?

 

[NotTheMomma]

Quote:
I don't think the top really matters. In fact, there's not top of my milk crate nests either. Only tops on the metal nesting boxes. There are some hens that prefer the milk crates. So I dunno.

BTW, I didn't cut a side either. I just sat the milk crate on the floor with the opening on the top. Put some hay in it, but not filled with hay. They move the hay around a make a nest in there, and lay. I do have the plastic easter eggs in all my nests. Dunno if it helps or not.

Now, I'm not an expert on getting them in the nests box!! I found 15 eggs TODAY in a nest beside the wood pile!! Had a feeling some were laying somewhere, and have been searching the yard over. Today my dog found a hen on the nest and alerted me. I couldn't believe my eyes! Eggs of all shades of brown, and two green ones!

 

[FURSANDFEATHERS]

Thank you NTM, I'm going to try putting a lid on my wood boxes.

 

[MIKE555444]

Here are my nest but No matter what I do this pullet insists on laying in the floor

SHE IS SITTING ON BARE PLYWOOD I PUT THERE TO STOP HER!!!

 

[mdbokc]

The nests are simple, easy to see (no snake surprises), easy to clean, containers from Wal-Mart. I simply cut out a box to provide the backs and partitions for privacy. I keep a ceramic egg in each (forearly training and possible snakes).

 

[daklander]

I think there's definitely a height concern for the nesting boxes. If they are much over about a foot I'd have a ramp built. I had my girl's nesting boxes on the outside and about 20" off the ground , as this picture shows, but have since moved it inside where I was able to mount it about a foot from the floor. When it was outside I did have a ramp for them.