question about nest boxes

[cybercat]

Nest boxes should be close to the floor not way up in the air like a perch. Many like I use the large cat boxes and put straw in them. I also use a woodegg in each one. If there is no egg in the box they will not lay in it perfeing those with eggs or the floor in the coop.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
To my way of thinking the coop is the best place for them to lay their eggs, not outside somewhere. Prepare your nestboxes ahead of time, don't forget the golf balls or other "fake" eggs. If you find they aren't using them when the time comes, locking them in the coop for a few days should work.
Like Cybercat, I've found my hens prefer covered litter boxes for their nests. I have one open nestbox and the rest are the litter boxes. The open box is rarely used.

 

[gkeesling]

4 ft. off the floor seems terribly high. I think more like 2 ft. should be better. When they first start laying you might look at keeping them locked in their run/coop for a few days until they get used to laying in the boxes. I made my nest boxes 14 x 14. two are right on the floor and 4 are about 18 in. off the floor. I get eggs in all 6 boxes. I have 20 hens.

 

[newchickmom09]

My nesting boxes are about 12x12. I put hay in them and we had put golf balls in them to get the ladies to understand what they are supposed to do. Well, our BA finaly layed her first egg and she kicked out all of the golf balls.

I I would put golf balls/fake eggs/whatever you want in the nests until they lay then they might just threw the fake things out. I put my chickens in there when I first put them out in the coop at 5 weeks old. They always just slept on the roosting poles. They walk in the boxes to peck at the hay and scratch around but they don't sleep or hang out in them. Now my BA goes in there nad lays her egg then leaves.

 

[jlgoinggreen]

Thanks everyone. I feel so silly. My dh started this post and keeps asking me if anyone has answered. I kept telling him No because I did not get an email letting me know I had a reply.

Not sure what happened as I always get and email. I guess he didn't click on subscribe when he was done.

Anyways, thank you so much. I'll have him read these when he gets home.