Found eggs

[ringaring]

All my chickens free range 24/7. As a result, every morning is an egg hunt (I really don't see the appeal of easter egg hunts anymore). I recently found 2 well hidden nests with 14 and 31 eggs in them respectively, about 2 wks apart. The chickens are getting smarter. I tossed all the eggs because I don't know how old they are & I am not set up to incubate. I also don't want more birds at this time. Any suggestions about how to get them to use their nesting boxes or make certain areas more appealing? TIA

 

[SandyRiverChick]

When I noticed my ladies trying to lay in dark places under ferns and things in our woods I also realized that where I had the nest boxes on one wall of my coop, they were directly across from a southern facing sun window and so while in the nest boxes they often had sun shining directly in their faces. All I did was switch the boxes to the opposite wall UNDER that window and they went right back to laying in the coop. So the point is, stare at your nest boxes and consider is something making it less desirable than nice and dark and safe under a bush ? I also had to toss a huge stash of eggs in the process. I hope you get it straightened out! Oh ALSO when I made that nest box change, for a few weeks I wouldn't them out of their run to free range until afternoon so they had no choice but to get cozy with the nest boxes again!! Good luck!

 

[aart]

Any suggestions about how to get them to use their nesting boxes or make certain areas more appealing?

Lock 'em up!

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/run 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.

Have they ever used the coop nests?