Won’t lay eggs in nesting boxes

[BluBelle23]

We built/introduced our chickens to their nesting boxes when they were aprox. 14 weeks old. We have a variety of 25 layers with 8 boxes, grassy hay and a fake egg in each box. Each day we put a couple of them in the nesting boxes to show them what they are. It’s in a quiet dark corner. They have a large ‘coop’ built inside the barn that has constant light.

We haven’t seen any of them laying in the boxes by themselves, but figured they would figure it out when they started laying, however first couple eggs we have found in various places on the ground in the coop.

Any other suggestions to get them to lay their eggs in the nesting boxes?

 

[Welshies]

Use dummy eggs like golf balls or plastic eggs in the nest boxes

 

[BluBelle23]

Use dummy eggs like golf balls or plastic eggs in the nest boxes

We have one in each box, they just ignore them

 

[Welshies]

We have one in each box, they just ignore them

Are they even laying then? What are they fed and how big are the nest boxes? Do you have a picture of your coop?

 

[BluBelle23]

Are they even laying then? What are they fed and how big are the nest boxes? Do you have a picture of your coop?

Yes they have laid 4 eggs so far all around the coop. Each box is aprox. 1 foot wide/tall/deep. They are fed layer feed as well as table scraps and corn.

 

[peckpeckpeck]

Welcome to BYC!

Try putting all the eggs in only 1-2 of the nest boxes. They seem to like laying where everyone else lays, so that might show them that those 2 boxes are prime locations.

Also I'd stop putting them into the nest boxes & just let them explore on their own. My chickens like to explore all the places I don't want them to go.
And they get annoyed / squawky when they see me opening up their box.

Hope that helps!
Good luck with your ladies!

 

[Welshies]

Yes they have laid 4 eggs so far all around the coop. Each box is aprox. 1 foot wide/tall/deep. They are fed layer feed as well as table scraps and corn.

Does your coop have windows? It is probably too light.

 

[BluBelle23]

Does your coop have windows? It is probably too light.

It does have windows, but they are currently boarded up (Wisconsin + winter gets pretty chilly)

 

[Welshies]

It does have windows, but they are currently boarded up (Wisconsin + winter gets pretty chilly)

Hm. Sounds like you need to put eggs in 1 or 2 boxes. Shutting them in the coop for a week also helps.

 

[BluBelle23]

Welcome to BYC!

Try putting all the eggs in only 1-2 of the nest boxes. They seem to like laying where everyone else lays, so that might show them that those 2 boxes are prime locations.

Also I'd stop putting them into the nest boxes & just let them explore on their own. My chickens like to explore all the places I don't want them to go.
And they get annoyed / squawky when they see me opening up their box.

Hope that helps!
Good luck with your ladies!

Thank you for the advise! Makes sense, out neighbor has 16 chickens and 8 boxes and says they all lay in 2 boxes.