Different age hens and laying

[LakewoodRN]

This spring I inherited 2 1year old hens who began laying immediately after moving them in. My kids subsequently brought home 2 chicks who are now about 18wks. Will the older ladies teach the younger ones to go in the coop and lay? Will they instinctively know to do that? I really don't want to set up another nesting box outside the coop in the run.

 

[chicks are life]

Don't put boxes outside of coop animals like snakes will come because of egg smell.

Put a couple of fake eggs in the nesting boxes they will eventuality figure it out.

Chickens hide there eggs in the safest darkest spot possible that could mean in the boxes or in the coop corner.

Mine get a hang of it in a couple days after they start.

Its great to have a mixed flock so the older hens can show the younger what to do.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are they free range or in an enclosed run during the day? The latter is less likely to be problematic as it allows "chicken see- chicken do" to pkay out with regards to nest training. If the normally range it may be necessary to keep them penned for a week or so once the younger birds are laying so they can be "homed" to thenest boxes

 

[Cntry1958]

I would also put the eggs in one of the nest boxes the older girls don't lay in all the time. Stay away from the older girls favorite boxes. Give when there own place to go. So if the older girls mostly lay in the middle box or the end go to one of the others and place the eggs in it.