The old golf ball trick...

[tangerinedreams]

Lots of people have told me that if I put golf ball or something egg looking into my chickens nest box it will prompt them to start laying quicker... Is there any truth in this?

 

[henney penny]

I don`t think it will make them lay any quicker but it will prompt them to lay in the box when they are ready,it would be nice if we could make them lay when we want

 

[Yardbirds286]

I have two golf balls in each nest, and they are funny about them. One girl tucks them under her chin and rolls them out, and away. One girl pushes them off to the side, and the rest just sit right on them. No eggs yet though, but I know we are close! Good luck.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

It wont make them lay any sooner but it will encourage them to lay in the nest box. I have one in each nest box and the girls use them consistantly. I have one barred rock who just likes to go in and sit on it for a while. Shes not broody, just likes to sit on it. Crazy hen.

 

[nkacerek]

Mine push them to the side usually...

 

[SmittenChicken]

I tried the golf ball trick and my chickens all caught on to laying in the nest boxes pretty quickly - just had a few eggs on the coop floor at first.
Some of my nests have a couple of golf balls, and I've noticed that the chickens seem to prefer laying in the nests that have more balls - i guess maybe they instinctively try to add to an existing "clutch"?

 

[Tracyfeltsmills]

i'm considering selling some eggs on a small scale . Any advice or fyi.s would be appericated

 

[Dora'smom]

The golf balls work to show the hens where to lay. I guess the idea is that another hen, before them, found this to be a safe place to have a nest, so they join in with the started clutch.