Best tips for training your hen to lay her egg in the nest box. Most mature hens will find and use any available nest boxes but young hens and new hens in your coop may need a bit of encouragement. It is most helpful to keep hen's nest boxes clean, dry, and have some type of nesting material such as nesting pads, hay, or straw. If your nest boxes are on a side of your coop where the sun hits in the summer your hens will be uncomfortable while laying their eggs and will most likely look for a cooler place to lay their eggs.
The best way to train your hens to lay their eggs in their nesting boxes is to use fake eggs. Most hens are smart enough to know the fake egg is not real and will often kick the fake egg out of the nest and then lay their egg there. You should collect your eggs daily to prevent rodent and snake infestations, but if you collect all the eggs your hens may start hiding them from you so it is a good idea to put a fake egg in the nest box where you want your hens to lay their eggs and they will lay them where you can find them. Don't let your hen out of the hen house or wherever her nest box is until after she lays her egg, That way you won't have to search the yard for it. Some hens will find a place outdoors to stash their eggs which will quickly draw predators to your coop so it is very important to train your hens where their nest box is. If possible put nest boxes outside or away from your actual chicken coop to draw predators away from your live chickens, but close enough that your girls can see and use them. Of course using this method you will need to put some type of shelter over the nest boxes so they do not get exposed to weather elements. If you have a rooster they will often check out the new nest box before your hen does. Some roosters may sit in the nest box and chirp letting your hens know this is a safe place to lay their eggs so be sure to show your nest boxes to your rooster.
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