Egg laying in the yard, not the henhouse

[moa daddy]

one of my hens recently stopped laying eggs in the henhouse. we thought she might be egg bound, but she did not exhibit any of the other symptoms of that, and today I caught her in the bushes sitting on 3 eggs that she had laid there like she was trying to hatch them. I don't think she could have been fertilized as there are no roosters around, but how do I get her to break this habit and start laying in the henhouse? I like to let them free range in the yard and would hate to keep them cooped up. Also, can I eat the eggs she laid in the bushes? Thanks,

 

[Lady of McCamley]

The only way to discourage a wayward hen is to lock her up in the coop for a couple of days to re-establish her laying habits. Make sure there are plenty of nests for hens available. Also salt the nests with fake eggs or ping pong balls.

Also take away the hidden nest, and if possible, block that area.

After a few days of "jail time," they learn to lay in the nest and not in the yard. Watch to make sure she isn't getting overly hazed by the other hens. Lower order hens will often get pushed out of the coop by more aggressive hens.

Most times the eggs are fine to eat unless you've been experiencing really hot weather or there is a chance she has been sitting on them solidly trying to brood.

You can float test the eggs in a cup of water. Those that float are bad. Those that sink are good. If they bob about halfway, they are safe but starting to degrade (air cell).

You can also crack them into a separate bowl before adding to a dish to make sure they are fine. (Old recipes used to state crack an egg in separate bowl for that reason).

Hopefully that will do it for her.
LofMc

 

[Feather Fanatic 2000]

Lady of McCamley pretty much said it all. Only thing I can think to add is to freshen up the nest boxes, make sure they are filled with plenty of soft, fluffy material, and also make sure there aren't any mites or bugs in the boxes. My guess as to why she went outside in the first place is because she is or is trying to be broody. They often look for a quiet, dark, and private area to hatch their babies in peace.

 

[moa daddy]

The only way to discourage a wayward hen is to lock her up in the coop for a couple of days to re-establish her laying habits. Make sure there are plenty of nests for hens available. Also salt the nests with fake eggs or ping pong balls.

Also take away the hidden nest, and if possible, block that area.

After a few days of "jail time," they learn to lay in the nest and not in the yard. Watch to make sure she isn't getting overly hazed by the other hens. Lower order hens will often get pushed out of the coop by more aggressive hens.

Most times the eggs are fine to eat unless you've been experiencing really hot weather or there is a chance she has been sitting on them solidly trying to brood.

You can float test the eggs in a cup of water. Those that float are bad. Those that sink are good. If they bob about halfway, they are safe but starting to degrade (air cell).

You can also crack them into a separate bowl before adding to a dish to make sure they are fine. (Old recipes used to state crack an egg in separate bowl for that reason).

Hopefully that will do it for her.
LofMc

 

[moa daddy]

Thanks!