Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495502
03/19/19 02:36 PM
03/19/19 02:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,549 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,549
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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Try a cardboard box with nesting material in it, with a fake egg or two, on the floor in the area where they like to lay their eggs now. Just leave it there.
If they see in there and try the box, they may like it, and you can gradually raise it higher till they go in at the normal height as the rest.
I know many like curtains over the entrance too, Patrice I believe has run that experiment , and her girls use the box with the curtains best, for privacy.
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495541
03/19/19 03:54 PM
03/19/19 03:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995
Central, SD
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They are a big bird if they are the white ones, are the boxes big enough for that size of a bird.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: Law Dog]
#6495574
03/19/19 04:41 PM
03/19/19 04:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,362 Minnesota
330-Trapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,362
Minnesota
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They are a big bird if they are the white ones, are the boxes big enough for that size of a bird. They are the barred/ plymouth rocks Less than half the size of the totes The coop is more of a pig-sty but here are 3 of the 4 egg box totes. . Like I said I took the fourth one and lowered it down to the floor near where they nest in a corner and they still don't use it I guess I will try the curtains they kick out all of the bedding every time I put it in there in the afternoon. I have had several other breeds for 2 years at a time and all those other breeds use the nest boxes no problem I might turn these into chicken soup and get some more this year.
Last edited by 330-Trapper; 03/19/19 04:42 PM.
NRA and NTA Life Member www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495601
03/19/19 05:23 PM
03/19/19 05:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995
Central, SD
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Put some hay in them totes don't be so tight! LOL
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: Law Dog]
#6495605
03/19/19 05:36 PM
03/19/19 05:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,325 ny
upstateNY
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,325
ny
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Put some hay in them totes don't be so tight! LOL No hay in the totes puts the chickens in a fowl mood.
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495610
03/19/19 05:43 PM
03/19/19 05:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995 Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,995
Central, SD
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Mine have holes in the sides for light so maybe they need a little light!
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495643
03/19/19 06:43 PM
03/19/19 06:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570 Dunbar, Wisconsin
Pike River
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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I had one like that once. Would never lay in the box. Would let them out in the morning and she would go lay in the bushes. During the winter when they'd be cooped up she'd lay on the floor. After she turned into stew we were still finding old smelly eggs around the yard.
Some girls are just stubborn .....
Last edited by Pike River; 03/19/19 06:44 PM.
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495648
03/19/19 06:51 PM
03/19/19 06:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570 Dunbar, Wisconsin
Pike River
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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They are a big bird if they are the white ones, are the boxes big enough for that size of a bird. They are the barred/ plymouth rocks Less than half the size of the totes The coop is more of a pig-sty but here are 3 of the 4 egg box totes. . Like I said I took the fourth one and lowered it down to the floor near where they nest in a corner and they still don't use it I guess I will try the curtains they kick out all of the bedding every time I put it in there in the afternoon. I have had several other breeds for 2 years at a time and all those other breeds use the nest boxes no problem I might turn these into chicken soup and get some more this year. My boxes were much cozier and had a 1x4 across the bottom and a lip over the top. They need to feel secure.
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495663
03/19/19 07:07 PM
03/19/19 07:07 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16,010 Champaign County, Ohio.
KeithC
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 16,010
Champaign County, Ohio.
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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
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Re: Hens refuse to Use nest boxs
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#6495833
03/19/19 10:12 PM
03/19/19 10:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,989 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,989
williamsburg ks
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my daughter raises chickens and sells eggs. other birds too. not sure just what all they have. im happy there are cowboys and chicken people in the world. I like to eat the fruit of their labor
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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