Beautiful pics, Sally. Your place looks lovely.
I would partition the boxes so you have three separate nests rather than one large community nest. I would also add a higher lip along the front and maybe close in around the sides of the entry to each nest as well. Gives them privacy, security and defensible space. They always face toward the opening and potential danger.
Play around a bit to see what they like. Think of it as building them a little fort like we liked to hide in as kids. Try using cardboard and duct tape (two of my favorite things) to see what works best (if it works at all) before doing anything permanent. Maybe curtains. At the same time block their current laying site (maybe with some cardboard
), and they will seek the next best spot even if it is new and scary.
This is a view from inside our coop during construction. Each box is private and eggs are collected from the outside through a door that wasn't yet up in this pic.
Here's the view when collecting eggs. You can see how dark it gets in there, even with the window. The chicken door in and out of the coop is under the boxes, so they can see if friend or foe approaches. You've heard of a man-cave. This is a hen-cave.
Wow lindz, great set up, and with all the work that went into the nest boxes there's no way you should move them. When it comes to laying eggs, I think the chickens are looking for privacy and security. It's sort a vulnerable position to be in, similar to how we feel using the bathroom - don't want anyone walking in on you! So I think if you could just add a bit to the existing boxes to make them more secluded, you will have them standing in line to lay there.Ok here goes with alot of pictures of my coop!
In coop facing roosts... They like to lay in the corner behind the water pan.
That corner is really nice and secluded and dark. They can see who's coming in the door before they are seen.
Looking in door and to the right, toward the nesting boxes.
Looks like great size and location. Should work with minor tweaking.
In coop facing the nesting boxes, and feeders.
Maybe a bit too much traffic here. Not good chicken feng shui.They are exposed to others at the feeders.
I would partition the boxes so you have three separate nests rather than one large community nest. I would also add a higher lip along the front and maybe close in around the sides of the entry to each nest as well. Gives them privacy, security and defensible space. They always face toward the opening and potential danger.
Play around a bit to see what they like. Think of it as building them a little fort like we liked to hide in as kids. Try using cardboard and duct tape (two of my favorite things) to see what works best (if it works at all) before doing anything permanent. Maybe curtains. At the same time block their current laying site (maybe with some cardboard
This is a view from inside our coop during construction. Each box is private and eggs are collected from the outside through a door that wasn't yet up in this pic.
Here's the view when collecting eggs. You can see how dark it gets in there, even with the window. The chicken door in and out of the coop is under the boxes, so they can see if friend or foe approaches. You've heard of a man-cave. This is a hen-cave.
