In order for the hens to feel comfortable with their surroundings, they should be put in a pen with the male at least 2 months prior to the begining on the courtship/display part of the breeding season. Numberous nesting sites should be available to the hens. Although mine tend to lay anywhere in the pen, i still furnish nest sites throughout the pen. They should also have "safe" places to get away from an overly aggressive male. Distrurbing or moving the birds to a new or different pen will upset the birds and may cause them not to breed. I've also had hens that didn't lay until their 2nd season.