Should you take the golfball out once they start laying?

[kayri]

My chickens have been laying dependably in their nests for the last 1-3 months. Once the hens get the hang of it, should you take the golfball out? ever?

Sometimes I think that maybe they have to warm the ball up before they lay so it takes them a long time to lay because it takes forever for the golfball to warm up?

Or maybe I am just thinking about it too much. .
thanks for your thoughts.

Kay

 

[justusnak]

Kay, One of my coops I have RIR that are 2 yrs old. I leave the fake egg in there...just for a reminder...especially when I clean the nest boxes out.

 

[johnnyjack]

mine stay in 24/7........johnny

 

[spottedtail]

I always keep a fake egg in each nest.

I go by a theory that if they see all the eggs are gone, they may lay somewhere outside the nestbox to hide them.
This theory also assumes they can't count.

spot

 

[kayri]

Thanks for your answers, I'll leave something in there.
Kay

 

[Churkenduse]

I had fake eggs in and they layed them clear accross the coop next to the door. Maybe I should put them back in the beutiful nest boxes I made with my sweat and tears....

 

[silkiechicken]

I leave a fake egg in the nests. Will always find the rest bundled up next to it.

 

[Backyard Buddies]

I also leave mine in there. My girls just came back into lay after molting and are having to learn all over again where to lay. Silly girls. But, you're right. I sat and watched one of my girls today as she gently turned the golf ball and tucked it underneath. Goofball! After all this time, they're still fooled!

 

[Smitty's Farm]

I usually leave my fake ceramic eggs in the nest boxes, but forgot to put them back in last month after I did a complete coop clean out. They all like to lay where there is already eggs looking for that magic clutch number, I guess. My 15 pullets seem to use just one - two nest boxes. I'll probable put the fake ones back in there. I just forgot to do it. My pullets are almost 10 months old and starting laying back in Sept.