free range eggs

[oldtimer5]

Hi everyone, I'm new here & have a question. I have 6 Rhode Island Red hens that are 19 weeks old. I am waiting for my first egg. My free range hens return to their coop and are locked in every night. My question is will they go to the coop to lay or will I find eggs hidden outdoors ?
Thanks for your help

 

[Kmarkee]

I put fake eggs in the spot I wanted them to start laying in and they did. I also let mine free range all day. They all return to the coop to lay.

 

[usmcpilot06]

I hve 20 RI's that free range all day. I have one that is stubborn and will not go with the rest of the flock when it is time. I just wait a couple hours and go check and she will be roosting on the ledge outside of run next to the chickens that are in the run. I just pick her and put her in the run.

 

[oldtimer5]

Thanks for the reply, Do yours lay outdoors or in the coop ?
I just got my first egg, it was on the floor of the coop, not in the next box.

 

[Lrosell31]

I have nesting boxes. Only some of my hens use them. The other hens lay eggs in our nesting area but on the ground by the boxes. I have never had a chicken lay eggs in our backyard where they free roam.