Egg laying

[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 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. I do have a question though, you throw the straw from the clean Coop into an area and put seed in it for them to scratch through and eat? Isn't that kind of looking to breed illness?

 

[featheredplanets]

There is no issue with penning them up for half a day, if that. I know there is some kind of stigma around penned chickens, I assume this is due to battery hens, but keeping them in a run is necessary in areas of predation. Can’t think of any other way. They’ll just make a nest or lay where they feel it’s safe, comfy and secretive. One of my hens laid an egg everyday behind our green bin, realised I didn’t have enough nesting boxes. Another hen started building a clutch in a hedge then brooded them. I’ve noticed my old free range hens would not only forage a lot but scout new places to lay. I wanted eggs so I kept them in their run for a few hours and yay! No more egg hunts. Provide them with some entertainment in the run and they’ll be fine.

 

[GC-Raptor]

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.

The only thing I can think of is putting fake eggs in the nests. I use white ceramic eggs, so I don't accidentally remove them. I have brown egg layers. . GC

 

[Pamela Janssen]

There is no issue with penning them up for half a day, if that. I know there is some kind of stigma around penned chickens, I assume this is due to battery hens, but keeping them in a run is necessary in areas of predation. Can’t think of any other way. They’ll just make a nest or lay where they feel it’s safe, comfy and secretive. One of my hens laid an egg everyday behind our green bin, realised I didn’t have enough nesting boxes. Another hen started building a clutch in a hedge then brooded them. I’ve noticed my old free range hens would not only forage a lot but scout new places to lay. I wanted eggs so I kept them in their run for a few hours and yay! No more egg hunts. Provide them with some entertainment in the run and they’ll be fine.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

The only thing I can think of is putting fake eggs in the nests. I use white ceramic eggs, so I don't accidentally remove them. I have brown egg layers.View attachment 1228911. GC

 

[Pamela Janssen]

Thank you that was the only thing I came up with myself so I'll give that a try.

 

[Pamela Janssen]

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]

My boxes are standard 12 x 12 x 9 and I use staw in the nesting boxes and in the coop. What I'm gathering from most is that I need to lock them up but that is not what I want to do I'd rather have them free range than worry about eggs. Thank you

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]

My nesting boxes are Standard 12 x 12 x x 12 x 9 and I use straw in their nesting boxes and chicken coop. What I'm gathering for most is I need to lock them up but that is not my choice. Thank you

 

[aart]

Standard 12 x 12 x x 12 x 9

Would you post pics of your nests and inside of coop??