Pullet and Rooster caught making a nest outside free ranging

[MarkJr]

I have a small stack of hay just put in my pole barn. Have pullets VERY close to starting to lay (dominant coppers and sapphire gems, born 2/28). I came up short a rooster and one Pullet so I found them disappearing into a hole in the top of a stack of hay.

I rousted them out of that spot, and the pullet went into the coop for a drink of water. Locked her in for an hour, where she was more stressed than what I wanted. Thinking it was because she was alone. Just turned her back out.

There is a definite nest wallowed into the hay. She’s my most mature looking hen, and has been squatting and successfully mating (tail up full contact) for just over a week.

How do I force them to use the nest boxes in the coop?

 

[MarkJr]

BTW This is first day after 5 days being locked in coop/run with no eggs.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Do you have any fake eggs in the nest boxes? You might have to keep her locked in the coop longer, some girls can be stubborn.

 

[aart]

Do you have any fake eggs in the nest boxes? You might have to keep her locked in the coop longer, some girls can be stubborn.

Yep, keep them confined until they start using the nests.
Hopefully your coop and run is of good size so it won't be too stressful.
They won't like it at first, but.....the alternative is an easter egg hunt.

 

[MarkJr]

My coop is 7x7. My issue is run size. They have a small run available to them (4x7) in case the door doesn’t get opened for them to range.

I have eggs in 3/4 boxes. I hung privacy curtains yesterday to see if I can make it more enticing.

Locked up it is.

 

[aart]

I hung privacy curtains yesterday to see if I can make it more enticing.

That might put them off longer.....they hate change.
Pics of nests?

 

[MarkJr]

 

[MarkJr]

Dimensions of cubby holes are 12x12 and the two ends are more 13.5x12. Height at short side is 14” at tall(coop) side is 19”. The opening on the coop side is 16” from floor to bottom of header over nest box opening. There is a 2.5” lip to help keep floor litter and nest materials in their correct areas.

 

[aart]

View attachment 2234890
Dimensions of cubby holes are 12x12 and the two ends are more 13.5x12. Height at short side is 14” at tall(coop) side is 19”. The opening on the coop side is 16” from floor to bottom of header over nest box opening. There is a 2.5” lip to help keep floor litter and nest materials in their correct areas.

I think they'll use those just fine, denied any other choice-like the hay barn.

 

[MarkJr]

Only thing I’ve read is don’t put boxes at ground level, and make sure perches are higher. I put these at ground level. I guess I could raise them up 8-12” if I absolutely have to. Last batch of hens I had didn’t mind them at all.