Problem with Indoor and Outdoor Nest Boxes

[nvamosi]

Hi all,

Although we have an outdoor coop, at night we keep our chickens (silkies) in a henhouse in the garage. Every morning, we let them out, either free-ranging outside or in their coop when we're not in the backyard.
So far so good.

The problem is that for the past few weeks, we have been unable to let them out into the yard until fairly late (weather and scheduling), and one in particular has become quite attached to a garage nest box. So much so that she now refuses to lay in the coop nest boxes (walks in, looks at them, and walks out) and simply screams at the top of her lungs until we let her in. Today, she spent two hours pecking at our screen door to be let in.

The question is: What can we do to make her comfortable laying outside again? I'm going to try golf balls tomorrow, but I'm wondering if there's anything else we can try.

Thanks!

 

[SmartyChick]

I think the golf balls are a good idea, that may be all you can do, when it comes to egg laying hens can be loony as to where and when they want to lay...

Mine have three nesting boxes and they all will line up to lay in ONE!