First Egg Today . . .In the Birdbath! Free Rangers, Help Me!

[mattamuskeetmom]

Ok, BYC, help me out! I have three black australorp hens, around 4 months old. They are free ranging, but they have a snug coop that I lock them up at night in. In the coop are 4 nest boxes that they sleep in at night. I was making breakfast this morning and looked out the window to see a chicken egg sitting in the middle of the bird bath! The bird bath is out in full sun near the house, not tucked away in a snug little corner. So, now I am starting to worry that my girls have been laying eggs in strange places out in the yard, even though I haven't found any others yet. I thought they would naturally go back to their nest boxes to lay, but maybe not? Anyone out there with a free ranging flock who has dealt with this before? How do I get my girls to use their nest boxes? I don't want to play Egg-and-go-seek every morning!
Thanks!!

MM

 

[HappyHazel]

Hi! I have definately had this problem. One of my girls started to lay her eggs under our deck! This is what we did, first we took apart their undesired nest. In your case try tiping the bird bath over untill they know to lay in the coop. Also if you can find golf balls or fake eggs, put those in the nesting boxes. This makes them think other chickens have been laying there and makes them want to lay there. Lastly, if you see one of your chickens sitting somewhere for a long time, check around there for eggs later. Good luck!

 

[jecombs]

Congrats on getting your first egg!!!

Is there anyway you can keep the flock close to the coop for a while and not allow them to free range? That way they will get in the habit of laying in the coop and not other places (because they won't have a choice!). We allow ours to free range a bit, but they also have a fenced area close the coop. Once they get in the habit of laying in the coop, they should come back to it to lay instead of laying in odd places in your yard.

 

[Nickeyo]

first off put a false egg in the nest box so that hints to them to lay there and second you should encourage them to only go in the nest box to lay and they should never sleep in nest boxes so should always sleep on perches. i had a hen who layed under my tree so all i did was keep my hens in the run for a week and she layed in the nest box from then on

 

[rosebuds]

first thing they should have never been allowed to sleep in nest.they should be roosting on poles.Are u sure they are laying eggs at 4 months old.u probablyshould put 1 or 2 eggs in nest to show them that the nest is for laying eggs.discourage them from sleeping in nest.u said u had a very small coop.u might have to put the nest outside for now see how that works.