Should I raise my nest boxes?

[littlelemon]

I notice that many of you have raised nest boxes in your coops. I have 2 laying hens at the moment and they will not lay in the nest boxes I have for them. I use 2 plastic milk crates that are only about 4" off the ground. We have tried putting a golf ball in the nest box, putting a fabric flap over the entrance to make the box dark, but the hens still make a nest on the coop floor and lay their eggs there. We have had a few cracked eggs! We can't raise the boxes too high as our coop is only 2ft high on one end and 3ft high on the other, but would a little bit help? Do hens prefer a raised nest box?

 

[chickflick]

Seems like your hens like the floor. What if you put the nest boxes on the floor, and when they start

using the boxes you can raise them. I don't know if it really matters, tho. You can leave them on the ground and put plenty of straw in the boxes so the eggs will be protected. Mine make a hole in the straw until they're down to the wood, so I get cracked eggs sometimes. I'm planning on putting some foam board down when I clean out the coop soon... Chickens are creatures of habit and it just may take some time to retrain them. Good Luck!

 

[rooster-red]

Just so you know...
Chickens will eat any type of foam.

 

[littlelemon]

Quote:
Mine do the same thing. They bury down to the floor, lay the egg, and then cover it up. We usually have to dig for the eggs.

 

[chickflick]

Yes, I know they eat foam, boy do I know! But, this foam is covered in paper and there will be straw over it. If I notice they start eating it, I'll be sure to take it out.