What’s wrong w/nest boxes?

[Beakrr]

Please share your thoughts about these nest boxes. The hens don’t use them. I’m new to this. The chicken tractor was given to me. I didn’t design it. Before I start a ‘remodel’ I’d like to hear what you think. Sorry for the mess. It’s been very cold! The hens lay in the two farthest boxes occasionally, but they’ve never sat on a nest. They also lay on the ground down in between the 2x4’s. I had one hen get broody down on the ground in early January. She sat for ~12 days then gave up. The 15 degree temps were no good!

They lay on my boat. They lay in the corner of the shed. They lay under the Ford tractor.

Do they hate the nest boxes because of the wire bottoms? I’m thinking about putting plywood down in the bottom and leaving the back 3” exposed for cleanout. Shove some straw or pine shavings in there and see what happens. I’m also thinking about laying some plywood over the entire floor and I don’t know what to keep them from laying down there. All thoughts are welcomed. Thanks

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

The hens are very uncomfortable laying on that mesh, I would rip it out and replace with plywood and put lots of pine shavings or straw in their. You might have to put in a few golf balls or fake eggs to entice them to lay there again once you make improvements

 

[Mimi13]

I would buy some of the plastic nest box “trays” to put in those boxes. Then put some kind of nesting material in the nests. I believe once you do that the hens will be happy with them. I don’t really think the “open” concept of the nests are favorable.

 

[pibb]

Do they hate the nest boxes because of the wire bottoms? I’m thinking about putting plywood down in the bottom and leaving the back 3” exposed for cleanout. Shove some straw or pine shavings in there and see what happens. I’m also thinking about laying some plywood over the entire floor and I don’t know what to keep them from laying down there. All thoughts are welcomed. Thanks

I'm guessing its because of the wire bottom. See where they made a nest on the ground where the staw is kinda swirly. Put some straw a few nests to where it covers the wire to test. They may roost there if that is the highest point so you will need roosting bars higher than the nest if that is the case.

 

[wamtazlady]

I agree with covering the mesh bottom. I noticed that the 2 nesting boxes they do occasionally use are darker than the other boxes. Chickens like a sense of privacy when they lay. You might add a partial curtain to each box to give them that privacy.

 

[7acres]

Please share your thoughts about these nest boxes. The hens don’t use them. I’m new to this. The chicken tractor was given to me. I didn’t design it. Before I start a ‘remodel’ I’d like to hear what you think. Sorry for the mess. It’s been very cold! The hens lay in the two farthest boxes occasionally, but they’ve never sat on a nest. They also lay on the ground down in between the 2x4’s. I had one hen get broody down on the ground in early January. She sat for ~12 days then gave up. The 15 degree temps were no good!

They lay on my boat. They lay in the corner of the shed. They lay under the Ford tractor.
View attachment 1699878 View attachment 1699878 View attachment 1699880 View attachment 1699879
Do they hate the nest boxes because of the wire bottoms? I’m thinking about putting plywood down in the bottom and leaving the back 3” exposed for cleanout. Shove some straw or pine shavings in there and see what happens. I’m also thinking about laying some plywood over the entire floor and I don’t know what to keep them from laying down there. All thoughts are welcomed. Thanks

You might just cut some squares of plywood and lay in the bottom, put in some nesting material and fake eggs or golf balls as suggested.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I agree, it is definitely the wire mesh bottoms that deter them.

 

[TheBeardie]

At the very least put nesting materials in the them. Most birds make nests, that includes chickens. That's why they're laying on the ground, it feels safe to them.

Think like a chicken! You have to lay just about every day. You don't want to be eaten and you want a nice, insulating, covered area to lay in. Something with mesh underneath is very discouraging, wire cages are actually used for breaking broody's.

For right now add some nesting materials so they associate them with laying and add plywood bottom when remodeling.

 

[imnukensc]

There's no nesting material in those boxes. Hens aren't going to lay on wire mesh. FWIW, those PVC roosts should be changed to wood, also.

 

[flyin-lowe]

What is the size of that coop? It looks like it has enough nest boxes for about 20 hens but is no where near big enough for that many, at least by the looks. Pics can be deceiving on sizes though.....