Free rangers, a question

[B40chick]

If chickens lay eggs in the a nesting box at least once or twice, will they come in from free ranging and lay eggs where they are supposed to?

 

[RojoMarz]

I doubt there is a definitive yes/no, but lot's of variable...mainly chickens. Each are different. . Mine do go back to the coop to lay, but it's also within eye sight.

 

[Sunshine_Chick]

I have 1 buff orpington & 2 Easter eggers and they live in dog crates on an enclosed porch and free range. They each come in to lay in their respective crates. For a while they laid in nest boxes on the porch, but now lay in their crates.

 

[Folly's place]

Mine mostly come back to the coop, but not always. We have sometimes found hidden nests in the barn, very annoying. When there are fewer than expected eggs, it's hard to decide if it's just an off time, or another barn episode.
Mary

 

[B40chick]

I have four 21-week-old pullets. As best as I can tell, three of them are laying in the nesting boxes on their own. I did not have to train them. The Light Brahma has not started yet. Hopefully, she will take on the habits of her fellow layers.
Then I got 5 Bovan Brown hens, around a year-old. They were sold from a commercial operation. They looked like they were going through a molt, plus the transition has to be overcome. They have been with me several weeks. Two of them have laid eggs in the nesting boxes in the last week. I was wondering if I should contain them a good part of the day to make sure the other three are not laying elsewhere. They might not be laying yet, but there could be hidden nests somewhere.

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

My very limited experience, typically return to their favorite spot in the coop to lay. But if it's blocked off or not how they want it to be, they might find/make another spot

 

[PetitePlume]

Never found a single egg out of the coop. They would always come back to lay in the nest box, even if they were on the opposite side of the house. My sister rarely lets hers out and usually has to look for the egg. So I guess it's not concrete science...

 

[aart]

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 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.

 

[B40chick]

Ok. I gave my girls a little running room, connecting the tractor to the run. I kept them in until after lunch. They squawked at me a good bit, but they didn't do badly. When I let them out to free range, one of my newer hens goes to a clump of bushes and stays there. She laid an egg. I really thought the ones that came from the commercial operation would be used to nesting boxes. The plan for tomorrow is to keep them sequestered until 3 or so.

 

[Folly's place]

Caged commercial birds have never seen dirt, or nest boxes, or anything resembling a home environment.
Mary