Last year, the hens started laying again in February, so this year when they started looking interested in the boxes again, I cleaned out the old straw and put in fresh, along with some dried lavender (for the calming effect and to deter insects). They were very keen to see what I was doing, but I suspect it was just to dug through the straw and see if I left treats. None of them are doing the submissive squat, so I think they aren’t ready to lay yet.

I also put a golf ball in last year’s favorite nest. Here’s hoping.