How to get old, broody hen to stop laying eggs in the most inconvenient places?

[sarahkin]

Hi all,

I have a 4.5 year old hen who is making nests and laying on eggs way back under a rabbit hutch where it's really hard for me to get to. I only discovered this by finding a rotten egg and then with the help of this forum, finding 12 more eggs in the back corner.

I removed them, and since both of my older chickens no longer climb the ladder up to the nesting boxes, I put a wooden crate at ground level with a fake egg in it.

Still, she is laying eggs (and sitting on them) way in the back. I have a full time job and 2 kids so most days I don't have time to shower much less remove all the litter from the entire coop and crawl back to hunt for eggs! How can I get her to start laying somewhere I can see and reach?

 

[Chickassan]

Block off the place you don't want her to be?

 

[sarahkin]

It's a big area but that's probably a good idea. Thanks.

 

[Chickassan]

You can put things in her way, make the space uninviting. It could be as simple as tossing a big ball back where she likes to lay. If it looks the least bit iffy then she won't like it.

It's a big area but that's probably a good idea. Thanks.

 

[aart]

Keep them confined to re-acclimate them to laying in the coop nests.

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.