Has anyone tried hanging nesting baskets?

[stone_family3]

I have one hen that seems particularly fond of this one spot and I think a hanging nesting box would be a dream for her. I am considering using crates that hang on the beams so she can hop into it and do her thing then hop out.

I honestly have three nesting boxes and only one hen uses them and her eggs are soft and get mushed into it. *edit* This hen with the soft eggs is getting plenty of calcium and oyster shell, she is NOT the hen who likes to be high up or the ones I'm considering hanging nesting boxes for.

 

[Moonkit]

I'd try to solve the 'soft egg' issue first. Give her access to extra calcium and such. As to the hanging next.. set one up and see if she takes to it.

 

[stone_family3]

Quote:
I'm working on the soft egg issue, it's with another hen.

 

[jason180sx]

i would use a hanging flower pot

 

[Lollipop]

A friend of mine uses those black plastic disposable pots the flowers are delivered to the grocery store in. He ties them in the corner so they don`t move much. His hens are Spanish Games that only weigh about 3 lbs. Larger hens would need a bigger pot. Some of his hens even hatch chicks in those things. Then he has to relocate them to the floor.......Pop

 

[SteveBaz]

I would try anything to make the girls happy if it does not work try something else.

The soft egg thing I would address in a hurry. You need some Oyster Shells ground up a bit or limestone hen grit to make the eggs thicker and harder

 

[erinszoo]

We have milk crates hung up for our girls to nest in and they looooooove them.

They don't like anything that moves though when they hop onto it so I would make them fixed somehow rather than like a hanging flower pot. We have two girls laying soft eggs and they have free range of the yard plus layer feed plus oyster shell available all the time. My husband said it was just a new layer thing as these were their first eggs. Two of our birds are laying nice hard shells every day so I'm not sure what to suggest about the soft eggs.

 

[stone_family3]

Quote:
It's another hen who likes being on the ground, she has oyster shell and has been given plenty of Calcium rich foods.

 

[stone_family3]

Anyone here use Stanley rafter hooks? I was thinking of getting some of those and hooking them onto milk crates. I'm only considering putting up one to start so my one hen has her "secret" spot.

I'm starting to get a hang of where they like to lay (one near the food bowl, one in the rabbits cage (she seems to cuddle with the bunnies after she lays), one in a ground nesting box and one up in the rafters).

 

[debid]

I've got the roost hanging from the ceiling and the nest boxes are plastic bins on a shelf. Both work great! Do try to control the amount of movement so it feels secure when she jumps in and be careful not to put it higher than the roost or someone might decide it's good to sleep in.