How to train a new layer to lay in nest box?

[HonkABC]

Sorry i'm late! Here are the pictures. I removed the ladder.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry i'm late! Here are the pictures. I removed the ladder.

Since the nests are on the floor, if you are able to catch her pacing around looking for a spot to lay you could place her in a dog crate in front of one (with the door open and facing into a nest). Slightly less upsetting to them than being stuck in the nest with nowhere else to go.

Check back in an hour or so, if she hasn't laid, she can stay in another hour or two without issue.

 

[Granny23]

I recommend using fake eggs or if you have real eggs those will work too, you can also try to block off the spot that she has been laying at if possible. My hens did this too at first but it's helpful if you have older hens to show the pullets where to lay. It kinda like copy cat for Chickens, they can learn from each other.

That's my problem. My 4 new babies were exploring and went into the "little coop" where my 4 adults have been laying for 3+ years. The 2 Anconas are laying in there every day. Their eggs are VERY small but I know they will get bigger as they grow.

 

[WingItRanch]

That's my problem. My 4 new babies were exploring and went into the "little coop" where my 4 adults have been laying for 3+ years. The 2 Anconas are laying in there every day. Their eggs are VERY small but I know they will get bigger as they grow.

They'll probably watch the older hens and want to lay where it's proven "safe."

I have an Ancona and she lays pretty big eggs considering she's so small! Average weight of her eggs is 57g.

 

[Granny23]

They'll probably watch the older hens and want to lay where it's proven "safe."

I have an Ancona and she lays pretty big eggs considering she's so small! Average weight of her eggs is 57g.

My Anconas just turned 22 weeks but they have been laying little tiny white eggs for a couple of weeks. The RIRs, or a least one of them, have laid a couple brown eggs.
These little Ancona gals have pushed their way into the roosting places that the older hens usually get first!! One RIR baby wasn't allowed up and one night she slept outside totally away from the others.
Now as soon as it starts getting dark I go out and do a headcount to make sure that everyone is safe and to make sure she isn't left out even if she is the last one up.
My one Delaware White Mildred is the witch who causes the babies trouble and then my broody barred rock Cookie gets her feathers in a bunch for disturbing her beauty sleep. It's pretty funny but I do know the importance of the pecking/roosting order. The Anconas have no concept of that rule! They will push to get wherever they want to be on the roosts regardless of known rules and lay low if anyone is fighting over their heads about whose spot is whose.
I stand there going shhhh, shhhh, shhhh and within a minute or two everyone quiets down and they are good for the night.
Chicken drama!!

 

[WingItRanch]

My Anconas just turned 22 weeks but they have been laying little tiny white eggs for a couple of weeks. The RIRs, or a least one of them, have laid a couple.
These little gals have pushed their way into the roosting places that the older hens usually get first!! One RIR baby wasn't allowed up and one night she slept totally away from the others.
Now as soon as it starts getting dark I go out and do a headcount to make sure that she isn't left out even if she is the last one up
My one Delaware White is the witch who causes the babies trouble and then my broody barred rock gets her feathers in a bunch for disturbing her. It's pretty funny but I do know the importance of the pecking order. The Anconas have no concept of that rule! They will push to get wherever they want to be on the roosts and lay low if anyone is fighting over whose spot is whose.
I stand there going shhhh, shhhh, shhhh and within a minute or two everyone quiets down and they are good for the night.
Chicken drama!!

Chickens are really so funny! Endless entertainment!

 

[ChookaPete]

Do you have fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes? That is how I "trained" mine. Works like a charm. I don't ever remove my fake wooden eggs. Leave them there indefinitely but mark them because they're pretty realistic to the untrained eye.

It's completely normal for them to lay in random places at first. Once they get the hang of it and feel the urge coming, they'll have more time to get in the nest boxes.

That does not always work! I have been trying to train one of my chooks to lay in a nest I made by laying a plastic pot on its side (with a brick next to it so it doesn't roll away). I placed a golf ball inside the nest.

My chook just rolled the golf ball to outside the nest and then laid her egg there!

 

[HonkABC]

Update: All my pullets now lay in the nest box!