Keeping Chickens Free Range

[ShrekDawg]

And I have one Easter Egger who sometimes lays in the nest but also sometimes decides to lay in the corner of the coop. Thankfully she has stopped that for now since I filled in her nest but one time she did it for like 2 or 3 days in a row and I thought she stopped laying again until I find a few blue eggs in the corner LOL

 

[EmilyP]

My hens are good about laying in their nesting boxes but I have on occasion found a brown egg in the duck house with the white duck eggs! Or next to the duck pen when it was closed.

 

[ShrekDawg]

LOL that's pretty funny! Guess you've got a chicken who thinks she's a duck lol

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Wow that's great they're still somewhat trained to lay in a familiar place! Pretty funny when they don't they although frustrating I imagine lol

Mine are pretty good about laying in the coop although one time I did find an egg or two under a bush.

The other day I only got 3 so I do wonder if they laid somewhere else but I have been watching them and with them the whole time for all 3 or 4 days they were out (only a few hours so not a big deal) and they didn't go hide somewhere so I guess they just didn't feel like laying that day lol

In my experience, there aren't a lot of places that are dark enough they Want to lay. I use tires as Hot houses for my plants, so have found a couple in there. No Bones about it, I line the carriers FOR them to lay. I had a leghorn, lay eggs, bring chicks down from the sandstone above the house, one Spring. Unfortunately, didn't leave the dog out so her 2nd batch, remaining chicks and herself disappeared.

Why I bought 4 Leghorns This year..

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

And I have one Easter Egger who sometimes lays in the nest but also sometimes decides to lay in the corner of the coop. Thankfully she has stopped that for now since I filled in her nest

but one time she did it for like 2 or 3 days in a row and I thought she stopped laying again until I find a few blue eggs in the corner LOL

Maybe someone was picking on her laying in the Usual spot. They're like the rest of us, they get into a Rut..
As an old timer once told me, 'We all have our own goat path we keep to.'

 

[ShrekDawg]

In my experience, there aren't a lot of places that are dark enough they Want to lay. I use tires as Hot houses for my plants, so have found a couple in there. No Bones about it, I line the carriers FOR them to lay. I had a leghorn, lay eggs, bring chicks down from the sandstone above the house, one Spring. Unfortunately, didn't leave the dog out so her 2nd batch, remaining chicks and herself disappeared.      Why I bought 4 Leghorns This year.. 

That makes sense and awww that's so sad!!

 Maybe someone was picking on her laying in the Usual spot. They're like the rest of us, they get into a Rut.. 
  As an old timer once told me, 'We all have our own goat path we keep to.'  

Hmm that could be, she was being picked on before and didn't lay for a few months, only recently started back up. But now that I think about it, maybe she just stopped for the winter sooner than the rest lol

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

That makes sense and awww that's so sad!!
Hmm that could be, she was being picked on before and didn't lay for a few months, only recently started back up. But now that I think about it, maybe she just stopped for the winter sooner than the rest lol

Yeah, I was upset in loosing her, such a good mother! Such a treasure to hear the little chirps, look around, see her leading them down the mountain! Within Weeks of putting the little ones in the hutch, for protection, she was Broody Again!
If I recall correctly, she found another place to lay in. I've seen two others try to fit into one box to lay. Now, That was Funny!

 

[lcertuche]

A couple of weeks ago we found 30 eggs at the edge of the woods not 20 ft. from the side of our house. We did the float test and they were all good. I didn't want anyone trying to hatch them out without any protection. I think I might start leaving eggs in the nest in the coop and see if anyone gets broody. Our coop is really dark. We use a flashlight to collect the eggs. (I worry about snakes getting in the coup).

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

Well, The 5 week olds are doing fine in the hutch. Put a small pet carrier inside so they can huddle when they are cold. Horse blanket, nearby, in case.
The RIR rooster got me, again. Attacked me when I was putting chicks in carrier, transport to a bigger pen.

******************Your Vote Needed**************
Do I grab him after he's roosted tonight, slit his throat, wait till AM to make him ready for soup?

OR

Do I Slit his throat, take him down the Road a bit, let the coyotes have him?

I will Likely smack him one, for the one suture I have, Just CAUSE.......

I had to Drive into town, 1 suture, antibiotics, etc..Had to round up the babies since they were being picked on, while he's still being ornery..

Are RIR always so mean? I UNDERstand the Pullets's were calling for help...
This is the 2nd one.......

 

[ShrekDawg]

 Yeah, I was upset in loosing her, such a good mother! Such a treasure to hear the little chirps, look around, see her leading them down the mountain! Within Weeks of putting the little ones in the hutch, for protection, she was Broody Again! 

If I recall correctly, she found another place to lay in. I've seen two others try to fit into one box to lay. Now, That was Funny!  :cd     

Awww and LOL