I have a small "issue" and a possible one

Peter16 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:03 pm

Well here is the story,
A hen of mine is used to laying in a portable computer screen, but i want her to start laying in my permanent nests, so how can i go about this?

secondly, another hen has just started laying in a corner of the floor of my coop, she makes a nice round nest and pushes all the hay into a neat circle then lays her egg on the cement thus putting a hole in it.
I also want her to get used to laying in the permanent nest,
so same question
I have put 2 golf balls in the other day, but no joy,

so does anyone have any ideas, that might work?

thanks
Peter

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

If the golf balls arent working take them out , Remove the computer screen " :cry:

I liked That :cry:

" then place a couple of yesterdays eggs in the place you want them to lay , leave them in their till they get the hint , Ian

Peter16 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:12 pm

up until now i have left the computer screen in there aswell as the golf balls, so of course they will choose what they're use d to,
so tomorrow will be the 1st morning without their screen, so hopefully they will use the permo nests,
but im not sure if they know how to access them nests

bunyanuternie · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:31 pm **Posts:** 2903

They'll work it out mate , leave some eggs in their to get them started , and see how they go ,

jo-chicken · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:18 pm

Remove computer screen and remove hay/stray on floor. Make it somewhat uncomfortable for them to lay in these places. Then make the nest boxes really inviting, add a little hay etc so it looks nice and cosy. Hope this helps

Peter16 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:23 pm

Thanks Jo-C, I cant really remove all the straw, but i will put a brick or something where she has been laying,

now for a second "possible" issue,
the hens seem to jump from a platform to the floor, which is about 80-90cm, and I use a deep litter system, so the floor is covered in a few cms of straw, anyway when they get older they will be big girls, will this leap increase their chances of getting bumble foot or any other foot / leg disorders

Ta
Peter

Deans' Poultry · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:26 pm

Slightly off topic but-....i've been using that coconut fibre stuff out of an old innerspring matress as of late for new nesting boxes. Ya need to break it up a bit, but the chooks seem to like it and if it happens to get wet it dries out very quick :-D

On topic- Yep remove that cool puter screen nest and maybe even move the new nest box into that corner where one of the hens is laying. By chance is that corner the darkest part of the house?

After that like Ian said, they'll work it out

greenaus · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:27 pm

Peter16 wrote:

then lays her egg on the cement thus putting a hole in it.

Must be pretty brittle cement. :lol:

Peter16 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:30 pm

cant exactly move my permanent nest box, if i did it would be to open, they got used to the puter in quarantine, and i just put it on the floor of the coop so they could lay there for time being, but where it is its in the door way, i planed for it to go under original nests but its too big,
My nests seem pretty inviting, with fresh hay, off the ground, dark and secluded

Peter16 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:21 pm

greenaus wrote:

Peter16 wrote:

then lays her egg on the cement thus putting a hole in it.

Must be pretty brittle cement. :lol:

Lol, only just saw your messege
he he he

anyway

Success!!!
Debbie walked in the coop today, and started searching for her 'puter, so i put her in the permanent nest and she must have liked it, becasue I came back a while later and was able to use the "egg snatching hatch"(see gallery) for the 1st time!!
unfortunatly the other girl layed in her corner again, but luckily the egg didnt brake,
Oh any ideas on this question?

Quote:

now for a second "possible" issue,
the hens seem to jump from a platform to the floor, which is about 80-90cm, and I use a deep litter system, so the floor is covered in a few cms of straw, anyway when they get older they will be big girls, will this leap increase their chances of getting bumble foot or any other foot / leg disorders

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