Changing free range time to promote egg laying in coop

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all, my six 15 week old pullets free range from morning till night when they return to their coop. I supervise on and off. I am gearing up for egg laying time (I know I probably have some time but I think my red sex links are getting close). Should I keep the pullets in the coop/run till the afternoon to promote egg laying in the nesting boxes? Do most eggs get layed in the morning? Do most chickens stay or return to the coop if they need to lay? They really enjoy their yard time so I dont want to interfere with this if not necessary but if those with more experience suggest it I would consider. Thank you!

 

[centrarchid]

I have to keep them penned through late afternoon to increase odds all eggs laid in nest prior to free-range time.

 

[TooCheep]

I would do that. My older hens are allowed out early now and they return to the coop to lay, but they had a long time to get used to the routine before I allowed them out unsupervised.

 

[Julesstarohio56]

I think it says somewhere on this site that egg laying is on a 25 hour cycle, so it will get later each day? I keep mine in the coop and runs till 3 ish to get the best results. If they haven’t laid their egg, they will often run back to the coop. Opening around 3 also has decreased the chance of hawk attacks, I’ve found. I’ve also got 22 Isa browns about to lay in a few weeks, so they will probably prove me wrong.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I currently have 2 layers. If both have already laid then I'll let them out whenever. If not then I usually dont let them out until the afternoon. I do have one girl who is not all there mentally and just pops an egg out while shes pecking at the ground, so I do have to search the run sometimes.

 

[centrarchid]

I think it says somewhere on this site that egg laying is on a 25 hour cycle, so it will get later each day? I keep mine in the coop and runs till 3 ish to get the best results. If they haven’t laid their egg, they will often run back to the coop. Opening around 3 also has decreased the chance of hawk attacks, I’ve found. I’ve also got 22 Isa browns about to lay in a few weeks, so they will probably prove me wrong.

It averages on a 25 hour cycle. Some longer, some shorter.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I think it says somewhere on this site that egg laying is on a 25 hour cycle, so it will get later each day? I keep mine in the coop and runs till 3 ish to get the best results. If they haven’t laid their egg, they will often run back to the coop. Opening around 3 also has decreased the chance of hawk attacks, I’ve found. I’ve also got 22 Isa browns about to lay in a few weeks, so they will probably prove me wrong.

Thanks! I think I'm going to keep them in the coop/run till 2 or 3 as well. I know my buff orpingtons are not near laying time but it will be good for all of them to be in routine. Also when I go back to work in the fall, I wont be home till 3 for them to free range anyway.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I currently have 2 layers. If both have already laid then I'll let them out whenever. If not then I usually dont let them out until the afternoon. I do have one girl who is not all there mentally and just pops an egg out while shes pecking at the ground, so I do have to search the run sometimes.

Thanks for the reply. How do you know who lays which eggs?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Thanks for the reply. How do you know who lays which eggs?

I catch them in the act. Right now I only have 2 layers, 1 EE and 1 production blue. So I get 1 green egg and 1 brown egg. Once they all start laying (hopefully any day now) I wont know who laid what unless I catch them doing it