Nesting boxes

[country mouse]

Hi All,
Am new to this forum.

I have two new hampshire crosses, (thats what the man told me)

They have a large nesting box, but have made thier own nest next to it, right next to the wire of the chook house.

Is there any reason for this? Is thier a way I can get them to lay in the nesting box?

Thanks for your help
Take care
Gill

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi and welcome to the forum Country Mouse.

I am no chook expert but we kept the feathered egg machines as kids. I would suggest either leaving an egg (real or fake) in the nest boxes or maybe try putting the nest they made into the nest box. I know that the egg in the nest box is frequently recommended as a help until they settle in.

I am sure you will get lots more replies and help from people who have more experience. I am hoping to get some chickens soon (OH did say I could have some to use kitchen scraps) as there is nothing quite like a real 'home grown' egg!!

[nick the grief]

Hi Country Mouse,

Welcome to the Vine. I wouldn't leave a reall egg in there as it may start them off egg eating. They're quite stupid really so you could just put Golf ball or an egg saped stone in the nest & they may do the trick.

I hope you keep posting as it will be interesting to see how gardning compares "Down under" maybe you can tell us what mares tail roots look like (sorry CM - Pommie joke)

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi CountryMouse and welcome to the 'vine! There's a good bunch of grapes in here, some of whom are very knoweldgeable, so I'm sure someone will have some good advice for you! We arent allowed chooks on our plot, so cant help you myself with any advice, but just wanted to welcome you! Have fun in the forums!

[Tensing]

Hi All,
Am new to this forum.

I have two new hampshire crosses, (thats what the man told me)

They have a large nesting box, but have made thier own nest next to it, right next to the wire of the chook house.

Is there any reason for this? Is thier a way I can get them to lay in the nesting box?

Thanks for your help
Take care
Gill

When you say large nesting box, is it very large, as mine are sort of the smae size as the bird, big enough that they can get in move around, but small enough that when the fluff up they fill the box.

Also is it dark as they prefer to lay in the dark out of sight.

Have you treated it for mites etc, I know its new but maybe worth treating anyway, just to be on the safe side.

Having said all this, I have 4 female bantams, 4 nest boxes, and they all like to lay in the same one, some days they will all lay in a random hole in the garden.

[Lesley Jay]

Welcome to the grapevine - which I usually call the mad house! I think you are our first member from Australia. I can't wait to hear about Christmas on the beach Country Mouse so keep posting!!!

[yoanbob]

hi country mouse, i would try the fake egg trick, we had lots of trouble with ours till somone told us this,you can buy rubber ones on the net, shouldnt cost too much, worked a treat and havnt had any problems since. good luck.

[Squirrel]

Their nest box needs to be darker than the rest of the house, and if it is a big one with plenty of light, then they would rather nest somewhere else. Bit crazy that they choose to do it next to the wire of the run, but that is chooks for you!

Let us know how you get on!

[rustylady]

Welcome to the vine, country mouse. What's the weather like down there?

We used to keep chickens when I was a kid, and you could get china eggs to put in the nest boxes - we also used to use them for egg and spoon races at school.

Do you shut the hens in at night, or leave them to come and go as they please?

[country mouse]

Hi All,

Weather today is going to be 30c , the girls now have a run yeeeaaaaaaahhh, they are soooooo funny to watch scratting around and having dust baths. They are still laying in thier nest LOL

Take care
Gill