Free-range hens laying in bushes, not nest box.

[HenalayLady]

One Speckled Sussex and an Ameraucana have been free-lancing away from the chicken house. Previously when I found the nests I removed the eggs. This time I left a few. but marked them, so the hens would still return to the same spot to lay. However, I'd rather get them to use the nest boxes again, if I can. Any suggestions you have used? I have no way to confine them without excluding the other 7 hens from the hen house. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[devora]

It's a drag, isn't it?

I have to lock 'em all in for a few days until the offenders lay in the nestbox. So unfair to the girls who are doin' it right but no freelancing allowed.

Good luck w/ it!

 

[HenalayLady]

Thanks, Devora. I've been reluctant to lock them all up because the coop is small (50sf) and I have 9 hens. I'm afraid they'll stop being as friendly as they have been. But with 2 of them going AWOL I suppose I should try the group therapy approach. Maybe peer pressure will convince the two renegades. Thanks again. Myrleen

 

[PsychoChickens]

I'd think if you had a large enough coop you could simply put a small cage in it with a nesting box for the AWOL chickens so you could continue to let the good girls out to free range. Just a thought thou.