Should I put them in the nesting boxes?

[momofchicks]

Will they find the nesting boxes on their own, or should I put them in there. The hens are 17+ weeks and aren't really investigating the boxes yet. I have one who is for sure squatting. What should I do?

 

[Jenski]

They'll figure it out when it's time. If you get anxious, get some wooden eggs at a craft store and put a couple in each nest box as a gentle "suggestion."

When mine came into lay, things were a bit confusing for a few days as everyone got the hang of things. I had huge craters in the shavings all around the coop; eggs on the coop floor; eggs in the doorway; wobbly, rubbery eggs; nubbly eggs ~ it all works itself out as the girls figure out their job. The girls will naturally prefer private spots to lay, and most will choose nest boxes unless there are secret spots on a free-range yard that prove better.

It's an exciting time, and a lot of fun! Good luck.


Jen in TN

 

[spook]

I have been so fortunate, 2 nests for the 5 girls and I have only found 1 egg on the floor. They know where they are without you showing them. Still to this day the Nature vs Nurture question burns through my mind. Nature is the answer with your egg laying girls.
We do have a golf ball in one nest, a ceramic egg in the other nest- a joke about the ceramic egg is it says NO on the round end!!! Grabbing eggs, each one of us has made it into the house with the egg, the ceramic egg and left a real egg behind --ha ha.