How to Get My Hens to Lay in the Nest?

[Dawnclucks22]

Hi everyone! I have a question (again!). My hens made an infamous "secret nest" under a hedge in our backyard - I know where it is now, but it's a bit hard to reach and it would be more convenient (of course) if they laid in their nesting box in the coop. They won't fall for the "fake egg" thing anymore. Is there another way to get them to lay there? Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Block their chosen site, put something on top of it and hopefully it freaks them out. Otherwise you will need to confine them for a while to the coop and run if you definitely want them to lay in the coop, some can be quite stubborn, and single minded, so sometimes it's easier to crawl under the bush to get the eggs.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Block their chosen site, put something on top of it and hopefully it freaks them out. Otherwise you will need to confine them for a while to the coop and run if you definitely want them to lay in the coop, some can be quite stubborn, and single minded, so sometimes it's easier to crawl under the bush to get the eggs.

Thank you! I will try that

 

[21hens-incharge]

I use a child's leaf rake to gently drag eggs out from under hiding places.

They can be very stubborn. I ended up keeping mine in the coop/run until after most have laid.

Eventually I had to give up letting them out unless I was right there. Dang hawks got thick around here.

 

[Sunny-Side Up]

Yeah, I have a chicken who lays on the ground in the coop in a place that's hard to reach. She's been laying there for 2 years, and I couldn't break her off the habit. I just made a little egg- scooper (a stick with a cup on the end) which made it more convenient to get them.