Chickens have "flew the coop", will they come back to lay?

[Bergs]

Our 4 Golden Comets are 16 weeks old and recently have stopped going back to the coop at night as they are enjoying the run of the yard. Should we be putting them in at night to get them used to the coop and nesting boxes as they get closer to laying? They have water, food and a place to roost in the coop.

 

[maizie]

I don't know what your situation is but there is potential for your chickens to be hurt if they aren't locked up at night. I had a chicken mauled by a rat one time.

And if they aren't used to laying in nesting type boxes in the coop, you could be looking at an easter egg hunt on any given day! Such has been my experience...

 

[CMV]

It's a very good idea to secure your birds at night. They need to know where home is. Lock them in the coop for a few days to get them used to it, then let them out. It is especially important to get them used to laying in their nesting boxes. It is a nuisance to have to tromp through the woods in search of eggs. I have to do that with one hen. Fortunately I know now where she nests, but it took awhile to find.