It is the dead of winter here in Maine. We are at sub zero temps and our chicks won't go anywhere near the outside! Would you still put her in a cage in the coop? It will make it pretty cramped for the other 6 birds. Doesn't really matter if she isn't laying for a little bit. Will she come out...
I have an 9 mth old hen who has taken to staying in the nest box. she is not laying eggs right now, she squats immediately when I take her out of the box. I have been taking her out of the nest box 3-4 x a day and putting her back in the coop. she will eat and drink, move around a little bit...