Found eggs in yard

[Matula4]

I got 2 new hens about a week ago. They have not laid any eggs in the nest boxes. Today I found 4 eggs in one location in the yard. I free range them and put them up in a coop at night.
1. How do I get the hens to lay in the nest boxes?
2. Are these eggs safe to eat?

 

[Messipaw]

Hi. I went thru a similar problem. I used plastic eggs and golf balls in the nesting boxes which didn't really seem to help much. Then I penned them. I didn't allow them to free range for almost a week. They stayed in the coop and 24*16 foot pen only. At first I found eggs on the floor in the pen. Then eventually with the plastic eggs in the nesting boxes they finally got it. To be fair to them they were also new to laying. But it all worked out. Good luck

 

[nbenevento]

I agree with messipaw. It seems that you never gave them a chance to learn where home is. Keep them locked in the coop and run for about a week before anymore free ranging. Use the plastic or wooden egg in the nest. They will learn where they are to sleep and where to lay eggs. After that, you will have no problem. They will also return to the coop for the night at dusk and all you will have to do is close the door. The eggs you found are probably ok but it's only a few, why take the chance? If it is too hot out and so forth, I would just pitch them.

 

[Matula4]

Ok. I did leave them in the first couple days and they do go in the coop at night. So I will leave them in a few more days again and encourage them to use the nest boxes. I don't have a run so they'll just have to stay in the coop.

Thank y'all for the help!

 

[Theocons123]

Some say to go with the plastic, china or wood eggs. So i do agree with messipaw. Some people believe if you lock them in their coop til midday they will learn to lay there. Though you may end up with some broken eggs to start or buy a free ranging net, omlet offer them even though they are extremely high in price you could probably buy or build your own from your garden or feed store!