They don't appear to want to use the nest boxes - how to encourage them?

[Blackpuddingbertha]

So our new ladies have only been with us for a few days but we've had eggs already (one laying properly the others 'practising' with what the DDs are calling 'jelly eggs'). However, none of them are using the nest boxes, just laying in the corner of the coop. I have no real issues with this apart from the poo. They are basically laying under the roost bars so not the cleanest spot. I could remove the back roost bar so they can only roost at the front which would leave the back cleaner for laying but they are missing the point a bit!

Are they likely to figure it out by themselves or is there any way I can encourage them into the nice cosy, clean nest boxes?

I'm also new and getting jelly eggs plus humongous double yokers. I have opposite problem, mine are sleeping and crapping in the nest boxes.

Sorry no help!

I'd show them where to lay by either getting a fake rubber egg and putting it in the nesting box or moving their own eggs to the nesting box.

We've had our girls for years, and they have consistently laid on the floor of the coop and slept/pooed in the nesting box. We tried DaisySteiner's tricks to no avail. We've given up now - they actually seem not to poo in the corner of the coop where they lay, so they obviously have a method that works for them (and us). Just not one endorsed by the designers of chicken coops!

I'd agree about putting in some fake eggs. You can get them from agricultural suppliers / toy plastic eggs (weighed down with a bit of sand if they're the sort that are hollow and split in half) / hardboiled real eggs (mark them with a pencil so you know which ones to avoid removing, and replace regularly; remove any that get cracked immediately; this is only a stopgap solution). They're often known as pot eggs.

It's not uncommon to find that pullets get 'caught short' when they first start laying - I've found eggs everywhere from the run to under the perches, laid by young pullets who didn't quite know what to do. Normally these problems will resolve themselves, but the use of pot eggs will help to give them the right idea before bad habits become ingrained.

Excellent. I'm sure we have one of those fake rubber eggs somewhere in the playroom - though may take some effort to find it! Will try that for starters and see what happens. Thanks all.

Reporting back. Fake egg went into nest boxes yesterday lunchtime and today we had our first egg laid in there right next to it! So at least one of the girls has got it figured out - I'm hoping the others will follow suit so the rubber egg is staying put for a while.

Checking in again - all four girls laid in the nest box today. Success! Have now removed the magic rubber egg.