Egg laying

[Pamela Janssen]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get your chickens to lay eggs in the coop? I have 8 orpingtons and 4 molten Javas, my orpingtons are approximately 2 years old and the molten Javas just joined the group they are about 8 months old. Luckily everyone gets along. The molten Javas have created a nest on the ground and they lay there daily but my orpingtons don't even lay in the chicken coop. Any suggestions? No-one uses the nesting boxes anymore. They free-range all day everyday and I don't want to change that.

 

[featheredplanets]

The only way I know to get them to lay in the coop is to lock them in their run until they’ve laid their eggs, for two/three weeks. They’ll learn again that the coop is a safe place to lay. It won’t hurt them to do so

 

[SueT]

Describe your nest boxes and bedding...maybe they're too small?
Welcome to BYC, you came to the right place. Be sure to check out the articles section.....

 

[Pamela Janssen]

The only way I know to get them to lay in the coop is to lock them in their run until they’ve laid their eggs, for two/three weeks. They’ll learn again that the coop is a safe place to lay. It won’t hurt them to do so

Thank you, that is actually the only thing I know to do but not something I want to do. Honestly I'd rather have happy chickens than eggs LOL

 

[jay873]

Well it's for the greater good so eventually both of you will be happy

 

[GC-Raptor]

Don't let them out till noon.
I don't let my hens out till 2 hours before sunset daily, weather permitting.
They have a 500 square foot pen for 5 hens, that I toss the straw bedding into from the weekly coop cleaning. I scatter seeds into the straw twice a day and they scratch through it.
They are happy to free range for just 2 hours. By letting them out late afternoon they have laid their eggs in the nest boxes and when the sun sets they go to the coop to roost without me having to round them up. GC

 

[aart]

Thank you, that is actually the only thing I know to do but not something I want to do. Honestly I'd rather have happy chickens than eggs

Up to you...but.... not a bad idea to get them used to being confined in case you have a predator event that will necessitate you keeping them locked up for a time. If your coop and run are of adequate size and thoughtfully furnished they are not going to be that 'unhappy' to be in there.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Up to you...but.... not a bad idea to get them used to being confined in case you have a predator event that will necessitate you keeping them locked up for a time. If your coop and run are of adequate size and thoughtfully furnished they are not going to be that 'unhappy' to be in there.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Thank you, including the rooster I only have 9 Birds, they have a 20 by 20 run not including the chicken coop itself. I have kept them in from time to time so I know this trick but I was looking for ways to lure them in without having to confine them so basically what I was looking for was any suggestions to that end but thank you.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Don't let them out till noon.
I don't let my hens out till 2 hours before sunset daily, weather permitting.
They have a 500 square foot pen for 5 hens, that I toss the straw bedding into from the weekly coop cleaning. I scatter seeds into the straw twice a day and they scratch through it.View attachment 1228320
They are happy to free range for just 2 hours. By letting them out late afternoon they have laid their eggs in the nest boxes and when the sun sets they go to the coop to roost without me having to round them up. GC