Egyptian Fayoumis- where are the eggs??

[Chickie Minaj]

So I’m learning about Egyptian Fayoumis and I read they do not like to be cooped up. That’s true because they moved into our flock from someone else’s house- definitely free spirits. I tried to return them a couple times but they really like it over here. So we’re happy to have them, however they won’t go inside the coop over night and lay in the morning like my other girls. They roost in the trees. I have no idea where they are laying their eggs. I found one random egg in the yard so I know they’re old enough to lay. Does anyone have advice how to get them to lay in one particular place? Create some sort of nest?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. Are they kind of wild and won't come for treats? I would try to tame them a bit and then lock them in the coop for a while if possible.

 

[Chickie Minaj]

Thank you! Coincidentally I did just as you suggested and they’ve been cooped up the last couple of nights, but still no eggs... so maybe they really are not laying now...? The rest of the flock is laying at half speed maybe due to the heat and California smoke right now.....? How are your chickens laying currently? Thanks again

 

[igorsMistress]

Thank you! Coincidentally I did just as you suggested and they’ve been cooped up the last couple of nights, but still no eggs... so maybe they really are not laying now...? The rest of the flock is laying at half speed maybe due to the heat and California smoke right now.....? How are your chickens laying currently? Thanks again

Mine aren't but it has been 110+ for weeks and now they are molting. Either the Fayoumis aren't laying because they're freaked out about being locked up or it could be the heat and smoke. From what I've read they don't lay a lot of eggs in a year

 

[feather13]

Hi @Chickie Minaj (awesome handle)! We are also in California where it's raining down ash, 100+ degrees, and super smoky. We have two laying hens and haven't gotten eggs from them in several weeks. I'm guessing it's just too hot.

Our Fayoumis are 11 weeks old and not laying yet. They are feral even though we raised them from chicks and resist being cooped up at night. We can't let them roost in trees because we have raccoons and stray cats in our backyard. What I've found helpful is, like @igorsMistress says, to give them treats, try to gently catch them (they scream like crazy) and put them in the locked run where they roost at night. They are always the last to wander their way into the run. I'm hoping at some point they'll just join everyone else and go into the run.

Are you able to get near enough to yours to catch them?

I don't know if I'd get Fayoumis again. They are so flighty, aggressive towards other breeds, *hate* being handled, and scream like crazy for no reason all day long lol. I thought one had to be a rooster. The upside is that they are very alert and I'm hoping they would warn the others if there were any predators in the yard. I doubt I'll ever get them to go into the coop to lay eggs.

 

[Chickie Minaj]

Hello, wanted to check in with you guys- thank god weather conditions have improved in CA, huh? Lovely here in the Sacramento area now. Hope it’s nice where you are too. Are your chickens laying? Mine are doing much better but the Fayoumis continue to be kind of crazy. One out of three lives in the coop overnight and lays pretty ivory smallish eggs about 3 days a week The other two are skinny little homeless things wandering around and roosting in trees.

 

[feather13]

So glad to hear the air quality is better where you are! Air quality is never great in SoCal, but thankfully it's less smoky. Our chicks are 17 weeks old and not laying yet. They are also molting, so I don't expect eggs very soon.

I can get the two Fayoumis to roost at night with the others (peer pressure?), but they are such unpleasant little things. Like yours, ours are skinny, too. Can you get your two wanderers into the coop with treats and keep them in there for a few days or transfer them from the trees (depending on how high they roost) to the coop at night?