Hens won't lay in coop or nests...help

[jneil]

I have three hens who started laying about a month ago. They began laying in a little nest they created in the coop on the floor, not in their nesting boxes. They are free range on 3+ acres and only are locked up at night, but their coop is left open for food, water and so they can lay. The egg laying became very sporadic and then we found one hen had made a nest in the woods..there were 6 eggs in there and we also found a egg on the ground behind the house. We put a golf ball in the nest in the coop and took the eggs from the nest in the woods and put them in the nesting boxes. In the past week we have only had three eggs! Two in the nest on the floor and one in the nest in the woods. What should I do? Why won't they lay in the coop? Should I lock them up for a couple days? Help!

Thanks

 

[Nicole01]

Yes, lock them up with an egg in the nest. I wouldn't put too many eggs on one nest at a time if you have broody breeds. They might get a little noisy being locked up.. I know mine are and much prefer to be free.

I'm sure I'll run into this problem with my youngest 3 pullets. They've free ranged from the start. I didn't free range my oldest 6 until this year. I was afraid the hawks would get them. I've had a few close calls, but luckily our tree branches go right to the ground for cover.

Good luck. I hope they get it right soon. I'd hate to hunt for eggs. Some times I do catch an adult trying to lay outside the nest. I pick them up and carry to the coop. I usually have to grab an egg, so they stay in there.