Egg hunt?

[Kzp1020]

We have some chickens that we got late last summer. They havent laid any eggs yet because they were just too young when winter set in. One of them has been squatting for about a week but we cant find any eggs. They are free range but mostly stay in one specific area so we have looked in that area and cant find any eggs. Where do your chickens like to hide their eggs?

 

[DemeterAD9]

I’ve had them sneak into the garage and lay on a shelf, under their coop, under a picnic table and a hunting shack, in a trailer (which has straw so I was asking for that one), under some junk stored under the lean-to connected to the garage, under the deck… probably more places that I just haven’t found. Most of mine have figured out the nest boxes in the coop but some still lay in the trailer with the straw. Once one bird decides she’s gonna lay somewhere else a few others will lay in the same spot. They really do seem to prefer laying where there is already some eggs. If you want you can try putting some fake eggs in a couple good spots and see if they’ll lay there. Most people will put a couple fake eggs (or golf balls) in their nest boxes to help the younger girls figure it out.

 

[Kzp1020]

Do they usually bury their eggs like ducks do?

 

[Ridgerunner]

In, under, behind, or on things. Sometimes in plain sight which can still be hard to see. Mine do not bury them but in some types of nesting material they may sink down in the nest. That's not purposely burying them, more accidental.

A couple of suggestions. Can you lock them in the coop only or coop/run for about 3 days? See if any eggs start to show up.

Check their vents. If a hen is laying her vent is going to be moist, pink, and large. If she is not laying the vent will be dry and tight. Once you see the difference it is easy to spot. That does not mean she is laying every day but it is a good sign.

 

[Kzp1020]

Thats good to know, thank you. Yeah I think I can probably keep them in just the coop and run for a couple of days to see if any eggs turn up. Its supposed to rain tomorrow anyways so it'll keep them a bit happier anyways.