[Alby]

As a very experienced hen keeper, ( Got my girls 3 days ago ) I am having a problem, I think ! , as my girls are laying in all the wrong places. The fact that they are laying anywhere is brill    Marans at POL

But, what size should I have built my nest box,s ? and is there anything special I should have done. What I have is a 5ft long cupboard type thing about 14 ins high.

I have a 6inch layer of straw both in the hut and in the enclosed run, hut is 8ft x 7ft x 7ft high, run is about 7ft x 20ft. Which means that the nest box,s are the same as the rest of the set up.

I have a thread ongoing on the other forum which may give you an idea of the layout

   Regards  Alby

[PagesPoultry]

Hi there,

Wouldn't have thought the size of the nesting box would have an impact as long as it is big enough for them to get in happily. Regarding getting them to lay in a certain spot, have you tried using a couple of dummy eggs (or hard boiled ones marked so you know which ones they are) to encourage them to lay in the box?

I might be completely wrong but might be worth a try.

[richyrich7]

also how dark are the nest boxes ? it's  a hens natural instinct to lay some where dull/dark , I hang strips of hessian sacking over my nest box to make it a little darker and more inviting

[Bodger]

Other forum ?
Why not post the thread over here on the lotty, so that we can all have the benefit of it ?
Nest boxes need to be somewhere out of the mainstream of the chicken shed. Somewhere quiet with subdued lighting so that the hens can feel safe and secure. The laying of an egg  for their wild ancestors was a time of danger for them, when they could more easily fall prey to a predator.

[Alby]

I,ll give the ideas a try, as the boxs are in the mainstream of the shed and quite light.

" The other forum " same site    ckicken chat  

Thanks   Alby

[Vember]

Here is Alby's other post

LINK

Hope that's the one you meant Alby

Sarah

[Alby]

Thats the one  
Thanks Sarah

Alby