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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: KeithC] #6495838
03/19/19 10:14 PM
03/19/19 10:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
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Originally Posted by KeithC
There are a lot of good responses.

Pullets, hens that have just started laying, frequently lay on the floor. Once their eggs are full sized, hens almost always use nest boxes. If your hens just started laying, they might start laying in the boxes, on their own, once the eggs are a more viable size.

Keith

Theyve been laying since october... and heres the deal.
Ive had 5 other batches for 2 years each batch. Silver laced wyandotte s were the first. 4 other breeds, in 12 years these are the Only ones that havent used those same nestboxs. So Ill try curtains , after that Im getting some more birds...this group is ticking me off.


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6495857
03/19/19 10:34 PM
03/19/19 10:34 PM
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Nessmuck Offline
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My nests / boxes were 15x15 like a desk drawer.....nothing ovah the top....and most of the time ,they all laid their eggs all in the same nest. I had 4 nests for 12 Barred Rocks


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6495858
03/19/19 10:35 PM
03/19/19 10:35 PM
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Quote
I've had 6 breeds of Laying hens in this coop over a 12 year ...All of the different flocks have all used the nest boxs.

That surprises me after seeing the picture of those plastic bins. The slick plastic would hard to get footing on and impossible to keep straw in. And the bins look huge, although that might be lack of scale.
Quote
My boxes were much cozier

Quote
Maybe try a smaller nest box, sounds funny but those barred like tighter quarters

Typically for Barred Rock, Reds, Orpingtons, gamehens, etc I build boxes 12"WX12"HX12-16"deep, with 2"-3" strip across the bottom to keep grass clippings from falling out.
When they are free all day ~20% will hide their eggs, but if left closed up til 11AM most will lay in the boxes, always one that will hold out waiting to go to her hide. If too many hide out I'll keep them all up for 3-5 days and that usually cures the hideouts for a while. Never had hens do what you describe.

>looking back at that picture; I would first put a 1X6 across the bottom and layer in some straw and then reduce the opening ~8" highX8-10" wide with curtains or what ever.

Last edited by tjm; 03/19/19 10:41 PM.
Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6495870
03/19/19 10:46 PM
03/19/19 10:46 PM
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Posts: 776
MN, USA
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Chickens scratching are looking additional food. I put grass hay on the floor to let them pick through. If you can get throw away greens from the grocery or diner that works great in winter.
I would try a couple of 5 gallon buckets on the floor, sitting up, with something heavy part way in the bottom like gravel or corn to keep them from tipping over, and then put something in there that you have on hand for bedding, and see if that will work for you. I had some Sumatras last year that tore all the bedding out, and finally they just started laying the buckets I had cracked corn in. I declared victory.

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: Zim] #6495956
03/20/19 06:46 AM
03/20/19 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Zim
Chickens are interesting for sure. Tell me why when there are 4 identical nest boxes that all 6 (insert # here) birds
will lay in the same box.

Zim


I only have three nesting boxes but I have the same problem, all the chickens like to use the box on the right. All the boxes are identical. I’ve seen two chickens in that box at the same time with a third try to squeeze its way in.


Eh...wot?

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6495959
03/20/19 06:53 AM
03/20/19 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 330-Trapper
Originally Posted by Law Dog
Put some hay in them totes don't be so tight! LOL

They've had straw and wood shavings dozens of times...they kick it out onto the coop floor in a couple hours


You need to put a four or six inch board up in front of those totes to keep them from kicking the nesting material out. They’re probably trying to scratch out a depression to lay the eggs in. That’s what my chickens do. If they can’t get it hollowed out just right they won’t use it. In your case, while they’re trying to make a nest, all the material is getting kicked out the open front. So they say the heck with it and lay on the floor where there is nesting material.

That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it! grin


Eh...wot?

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496023
03/20/19 09:11 AM
03/20/19 09:11 AM
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My mom kept chickens the time I was growing up. Her nest boxes had a walk in from the back that was just big enough for the hen to get through, entered the boxes from the back and had a lid you raised to gather the eggs. Boxes wern't any bigger that about twelve by twelve. Like has been said they like tightness and privacy!


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496027
03/20/19 09:21 AM
03/20/19 09:21 AM
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Put 2 hay bales , a few inches apart, Just big enough for a hen to sneak in. piece of plywood over it. My hens hide their nests in my hay mow, all the time. When they get a nest with a dozen eggs, they will get broody and start to set. You will need a rooster, as well. old243

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496031
03/20/19 09:25 AM
03/20/19 09:25 AM
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had a hen yesterday that wanted to fight me for the eggs.told her she had to wait another month but don't think she agreed.luckily i'm bigger than her.









Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496034
03/20/19 09:28 AM
03/20/19 09:28 AM
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Minnesota
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: Law Dog] #6496047
03/20/19 09:40 AM
03/20/19 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Law Dog
Put some hay in them totes don't be so tight! LOL


x2

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: ponyboy] #6496052
03/20/19 09:45 AM
03/20/19 09:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
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Originally Posted by ponyboy
Originally Posted by Law Dog
Put some hay in them totes don't be so tight! LOL


x2

Already answered that!!! X3


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496057
03/20/19 09:46 AM
03/20/19 09:46 AM
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I see some very good suggestions above, and to me the boxes are too slick, too wide-open and possibly on the big side too, although I acknowledge that you have had hens use them in the past.

Usually hens like it private for laying, hence the "hidden eggs" mentioned above. I would stand a 1x4 or 1 x 6 up on edge across the front of the row of boxes to make a ledge/dam to help retain bedding and provide them a step up/step down into the nest. I would also drape something flexible across the top of the row of boxes to let them duck under to get in, or provide split 'curtains' as suggested above, to make it darker in the nest box. Once the hen has good footing and a private, secure/perceived safe place to lay, she should be good to go. If not, there's always the stew pot.


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496069
03/20/19 09:58 AM
03/20/19 09:58 AM
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Buy your eggs from the store problem solved. LOL


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496073
03/20/19 10:01 AM
03/20/19 10:01 AM
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them aint eggs beav,just white poop shaped like an egg. laugh









Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: The Beav] #6496074
03/20/19 10:02 AM
03/20/19 10:02 AM
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Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
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Originally Posted by The Beav
Buy your eggs from the store problem solved. LOL

Another 12 years and the Grandkids will all be grown... until then the Need the "Farm"
wink


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496171
03/20/19 12:33 PM
03/20/19 12:33 PM
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[Linked Image]
Well ...we'll try this... take it out there and add some bedding and we'll see

???


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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496176
03/20/19 12:37 PM
03/20/19 12:37 PM
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Looks a lot more inviting that way, if I was a hen I’d lay my eggs in there!


Eh...wot?

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496178
03/20/19 12:40 PM
03/20/19 12:40 PM
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If that don't work... make soup.

Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs [Re: 330-Trapper] #6496184
03/20/19 12:45 PM
03/20/19 12:45 PM
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Try putting them in their at night when they are in zombie mode maybe?


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