Chick99 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hello Three of my eight girls are now laying and two have worked out what to do and where very quickly but one is a bit confused. Every day my confused girl lays her egg outside in the run on the ground which isn't too much of a problem but I would rather she didn't. Is there a way to train her to go into her nest box? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 What are you housing them in? Is there a bit of a queue for the nestbox and one is getting caught short? The recommendation is 1 nest box per 4 hens. Having said that, the chances are that they would all want the same one anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I know you've probably got better things to be doing, but if you see her looking like she needs to lay then pop her in the nest box and close the door until she's laid. One of mine insists on laying in the borders, under shrubs. There's plenty of room in the nest box and the borders are fenced off for that reason, but she still does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 When Eliza came into lay and decided she should be laying everywhere but the nest box I had to give her a helping hand. I was happy to leave her to do her own thing but when she started climbing trees to get into next doors garden to lay there I had to do something As she was trying to make her way over there again I picked her up, plonked her down in one of the vacant nest boxes and I literally held her down gently for a few minutes until she'd settled. I then put the nest box roof back on and sat down next to it and waited. Sure enough she was as good as gold and laid her egg where it ought to be for once! Unbelivably ever since she's used the nest boxes without fail I don't know why it hadn't occured to her to lay there before, I thought maybe she felt intimidated by some of the other girls but I genuinely think now she just did not know where she should've been laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick99 Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 There are three next boxes and eight girls so that should be enough and none of the others has used the boxes when she laid hers. I think I might sit out there on Saturday with a book and a deckchair and wait and when I see or hear one getting ready to lay I will pop her in as suggested. The problem is I don't know which one it is either so I will have to watch all eight. It will be like a police stake out! Thanks everyone, you chicken knowledge is remarkable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Good luck with your eggwatch . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
