How to Train Chickens to Lay in Coop?

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JuliaRoseD

In the Brooder
Sep 28, 2015
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I live out in the country on 80 acres and let my 6 chickens have their run of the place. This is their first laying season. I have nesting boxes in their coop but no one is laying in them. I find two eggs under the shed a day and that's it. I am sure the others are laying in the woods somewhere. I've looked but can't find their nest. It would be so much easier if I could get all of them to lay in their coop. I trained them to come in at night so they all sleep in there and that's where their food and water is. What are some tactics to get the chickens to lay in their nesting boxes that will allow me to keep my eggs? Or am I doomed to have to search the property forever since I'm free ranging?
 
I kept mine locked up a little longer than normal. The first week I left them in the coop until about 2 pm then reduced the hour from there. Plus fake eggs in the box. I've never had any issues with them not laying in the coop and they're also 100% free range.
 
You say the first week. Is that the first week after they were laying? I kept mine cooped for about two weeks after they were old enough to be outside then left them roam since then. Do you think it would be helpful to coop them now for about a week until the learn to lay in the coop? Also, do their own eggs placed in the nesting boxes work the same way or is there a special thing I need to buy?
 
Mine have roamed since they were first moved outside. I just picked a random week around the time they should've started laying to start the process, figuring the ones who were laying would learn then and the ones that laid later would learn from example. Anyways, if they're all laying I would just do it now.
I've never left their own eggs in there, I just tossed some cheap, neon colored plastic Easter eggs in there.
 
* not to say that you can't leave their eggs, I just never have. Didn't want to risk anyone pecking and munching them. I'm sure some people have and it's been fine, I just don't have an experience with it
 
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