Stubborn Hen Won't Use Nesting Boxes

[billygoat162]

I have 4 nesting boxes for 10 hens, and one of the hens just won't lay in the boxes. The other 9 hens figured it out just fine on their own (I've had closer to 20 that figured it out, but only have 10 hens now), and this one has been laying for about 3 weeks and still won't use the boxes.

It runs around the yard squawking and hiding in random places that aren't nearly as dark or as enclosed as the nesting boxes. The nesting boxes all have shavings and are inside the roost facing East so they are decently dark. Is there anything I can do?

 

[SeaPolka]

You could try locking her in the run or coop until she lays her egg for a week or so, she may eventually use the nesting boxes anyway

 

[billygoat162]

You could try locking her in the run or coop until she lays her egg for a week or so, she may eventually use the nesting boxes anyway

she hides in random spots in the coop when I do this, like next to a piece of wood that is maybe 6" tall

 

[Natalie783]

Have you put fake eggs or ping pong balls in the nesting boxes? I would do that, that's how i made sure to teach all my hens to lay in the right spot.

 

[LittleWillowFarm]

I put some nesting herbs for my hens to munch on in the nesting box, they magically started laying there eggs in there. also make sure it has enough darkness and privacy for her to lay her eggs

 

[21hens-incharge]

Is she actually fully sighted?

I ask as I have had a couple hens over the years that could not see properly. None of them would use the nest boxes.

 

[MasAhora]

Depending on your set up if you can't lock her in without locking the others out - are you able to close off her favourite outside spots? I once kept all my chickens packed into a smaller run on alternative days to force one of them to start using the nest boxes, it worked well. The run on those was a bit too crowded for her like laying outside and she soon joined the big girls.
I also keep a tub on the floor as I have a couple that prefer to lay on the ground not in their 3 tier nest boxes. Of course one likes to lay beside the tub

 

[billygoat162]

Is she actually fully sighted?

I ask as I have had a couple hens over the years that could not see properly. None of them would use the nest boxes.

Now that is an interesting question. How do I tell if she is fully sighted?

 

[billygoat162]

Have you put fake eggs or ping pong balls in the nesting boxes? I would do that, that's how i made sure to teach all my hens to lay in the right spot.

There are 3 ceramic eggs in each box. It helped teach all the others, but not this one.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Now that is an interesting question. How do I tell if she is fully sighted?

Most of the time there are subtle signs.
I will list my vision impaired birds and the signs in case it helps.
Leghorn, age 5 at time of vision loss, lost weight, could not hit the dish of treats with the beak but could tell there was a dish. The last was my biggest clue with her. I has segregated so I could monitor intake. Sadly she made it only a few months with special feeding. I think she always had issues but did well enough I did not notice until it was really bad. Always laid just in front of nest boxes.

Black sex link, age 6 months when noticed. Very jumpy if approached on the left to suddenly appear in front. So long as I approached on the right she did OK. Always laid under the roost in the far back corner.

Buff Orpington, currently aged just 8 months. Suffers from a crooked beak that deforms her face. Lays in the corner of the run. She strains to see things being shown to her with throne eye stare. She eats well and is maintaining weight. Just does not see well out of the smushed side of her face.

Lots of things can cause vision issues. I think the most common are injury followed by illness such as Mereks and lastly cataracts.

To test her vision will be tricky. Watch for oddities like NEVER coming forward for treats, being jumpy when something beside is suddenly in front, and bad aim at food items.

It is not unheard of for them to simply have vision issues. I do hope she is just a slow learner though.