Wont lay in nesting box...

[mommytoella]

Our chicks are 17 weeks and we got our first egg last week! When she laid (in the 5inches of pine shaving on the coop floor) we had the nesting boxes but nothing on the floor of them. That night we added hay and it looks like shes moving around the hay in the box but then going back out and laying right next to it in the pine shavings. Its been a week now and still laying in the same spot. We added even more hay and a wooden egg, but still no change. What should we do?! Will our other 5 follow her lead?!

 

[A Chicken Owner]

My first few eggs from my pullets were away from the nesting box. I had a fake egg in there and they eventually learned to lay in the nesting box even though it took around 2 weeks. Wait another week or so and they should start to lay in the nesting boxes.

 

[arnr1530]

Ou could put ping pong balls or golf balls in the nesting box where you want her to lay and she will get the message that's where you want her to lay from now on might take her a couple times to finally get it but that will help!