Free ranging and first eggs.

[LindseyS3]

We had a our first egg layed a couple of days ago. They have been free ranging. So the first egg was found under our deck. Yesterday we had them stay in the run that is attached to the coop. Yesterday the egg was in the coop, but not nesting box. Then today they were inside the run, and I found an egg on the ground of the run. I am not sure if this is a different bird than the first day or now. I am just wondering If I can free range and still have them lay their eggs in the coop if not the nesting box. I want to free range, but I don't want to be doing an egg hunt everyday. What do you all think?
Thank you!

 

[featheredplanets]

You definitely can free range without doing an egg hunt, but it takes the pullets some time to learn to use the boxes. Try locking them in their coop in a morning or until they’ve laid their eggs, then let them out. They’ll learn eventually!

 

[FortCluck]

Keep them in the coop longer in the morning then let them out. We kept ours in till 9 or 10 am till they all were laying in the boxes after that we let them out at 5 am. They don’t lay in the free range area unless they are broody, but that doesn’t occur super often.

 

[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.