free bird or not free bird

[old hippy]

Have let my flock run free for months now..but it's time for them lil buggers to start laying eggs..they all roost in the coop.
and 4 older hens lay eggs there..will the newbees also lay there..and if not how do I get my girls to deposit in the right place.
thanks for any advice Ed

 

[Tressa27884]

I keep my girls locked in the run/coop until they've laid their eggs for the day. My girls are pretty well trained and won't come out of the run area until after they've done their business....and then they baGAWK like crazy for me to let them out. My run is really big, so I don't feel like they're suffering any from being in there. With new layers I don't usually allow them out to free range until they've figured out the routine. Doesn't seem to take them too long. Good luck

 

[CMV]

Putting some golf balls in the nesting boxes is a good way to get them interested in laying there.

Good luck.