About to start laying...Do I have to lock them up?

[HorsesandBirds]

Our Barred Rocks are about 18 weeks and are free range. My husband insists that we have to start keeping them in the coop all the time now until they start laying and are consistently laying in their boxes. If that is true, I am fine with it. But won't they lay in the early morning? Can't we let them out in the afternoon for a few hours? They will go back into the coop at night.

 

[erin76]

Mine always return to the coop to lay...although I don't usually let them out until late morning. Keep fake eggs in the boxes, I think that helps give them the idea. My hens are done laying by noon, so if you feel more comfortable waiting until the afternoon to let them out, that should be fine.