The Nesting Box Secret: Why Chicken Keepers Use Ping Pong Balls
Backyard chicken keepers are always looking for simple ways to keep hens comfortable and productive. One surprisingly effective trick is placing ping pong balls (or other decoy eggs) in nesting boxes. It is inexpensive, easy to try, and works with a chicken’s natural instincts. Many experienced poultry keepers use this method to help hens learn where to lay their eggs.
Why Chickens Respond to “Decoy Eggs”
Chickens are instinctive animals. When a hen sees eggs in a nesting box, she assumes it is a safe and established place to lay. Placing a ping pong ball, golf ball, wooden egg, or ceramic egg in the nesting box creates the illusion that other hens are already laying there. This encourages hens to follow the same behavior. For young hens that are just starting to lay, the visual cue helps them understand where eggs belong.
Benefits of Using Ping Pong Balls in Nesting Boxes
Encourages Hens to Lay in the Right Place
Chickens prefer to lay eggs where they already see eggs. The decoy signals that the nesting box is the correct and safe place to lay.
Reduces Floor Eggs
Without guidance, hens sometimes lay eggs on the coop floor or in hidden corners. Decoy eggs help guide them back to the nesting boxes.
Helps Prevent Egg Eating
If a hen begins pecking at eggs, a hard ping pong ball or golf ball is unpleasant to peck. This can discourage the behavior before it becomes a habit.
Creates a Sense of Security
A nesting box that already contains eggs feels familiar and safe to a hen. This can reduce stress and support consistent egg laying.
How to Use Ping Pong Balls in Your Coop
Using decoy eggs is simple.
1. Place 1–2 balls in each nesting box
Ping pong balls work well, but golf balls, wooden eggs, or ceramic eggs can also be used.
2. Use them when hens start laying
Young pullets typically begin laying around 18–20 weeks of age. This is the ideal time to introduce decoy eggs.
3. Keep them clean
Occasionally rinse or replace the balls if they become dirty.
While decoy eggs help teach hens where to lay, they do not make chickens lay faster. Egg production is mainly influenced by genetics, nutrition, and daylight hours.
Creating the Ideal Nesting Environment
Decoy eggs work best when nesting boxes are comfortable and inviting.
Hens prefer boxes that are:
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Soft and well padded
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Clean and dry
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Quiet and slightly enclosed
Using clean, natural nesting material helps create a space hens naturally want to use.
Many chicken keepers choose organic straw nesting pads because they provide softness, insulation, and a natural environment for hens.
Natural Nesting Comfort
At Blue Mountain Hay, our organic nesting straw pads are designed to provide chickens with a comfortable, natural nesting space.
They are:
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Soft and supportive for laying hens
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Made from clean, organic straw
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Long-lasting and naturally fresh
When combined with simple tricks like decoy eggs, a well-prepared nesting box can help hens feel secure and encourage consistent egg laying.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes the simplest tricks work best.
Adding a ping pong ball to a nesting box is an easy way to work with a chicken’s natural instincts. It helps guide hens toward the right laying spot, reduces floor eggs, and creates a calmer coop environment.
When paired with clean, comfortable nesting materials, it can make a noticeable difference in how your hens use their nesting boxes.
FAQ
Do ping pong balls make chickens lay more eggs?
No. Egg production depends on genetics, nutrition, and daylight hours. Ping pong balls simply help chickens learn where to lay their eggs.
How many ping pong balls should be in a nesting box?
Most chicken keepers place one or two balls in each nesting box to signal that it is an active laying spot.
Can I use golf balls instead of ping pong balls?
Yes. Golf balls, wooden eggs, or ceramic eggs all work well as decoy eggs.
Reviewed by Dr. Julianne Vickstrom, DVM, veterinarian at
Grey Bird Consulting
Content produced in collaboration with
Petzbe Agency
