laying eggs anywhere they want

[coltssuperbowl83]

I have a small flock of about 24 hens. I get about 10 eggs a day and just recently found a nest of eggs by my pool that contained about 30 chicken eggs

. I have nesting boxes in my coop where most of my hens lay but i obviously have a few hens that are laying eggs in there own designated spots that they have deemed "perfect" for them. How do i teach those hens to lay in the nesting boxes? My hens are let out at 7AM and are locked back up at dark or whenever the rooster decides to go to bed so they are out free ranging all day. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[coltssuperbowl83]

anyone?

 

[GAchick]

I would suggest keeping them locked up for a couple of weeks, so they get used to laying in the coop. And when you start letting them out again, maybe let them out a little later in the day.., if your circumstances allow it.

 

[maizy'smom]

Hi! I just posted a question the other day entitled, "is the "egg song" a real song?" If you search it you can see some of the really good answers I got. One thing I had never considered before was that chickens are not all morning layers. Some of them lay in the afternoon. The poster I learned that from (on about page 4) mentioned that she kept her girls "cooped" up for several days until they learned to use the nesting boxes, before she let them out to forage for any length of time. I guess it's all about establishing a routine.

Hope you find something helpful!

mm

 

[boykin2010]

do you have broody hens wanting to sit on those eggs? They may not like the boxes because they dont feel secure. They want to hatch eggs in the most secure spot possible

 

[bald k9]

Quote:
Yep what she said, keep them in the coop til they all lay then let them out, or maybe you need more nest boxes, or make yours dark and out of the way, and let them out later in the day,

 

[10 point]

lock them up for a couple of days until they begin to lay in the boxes again, as well as put big rock were they used to lay so that it is no longer comfortable for them to lay there anymore.

 

[cassidy22]

Ditto the above two, keep them locked in the coop.

YOu can also put golf balls or fake eggs in the nests to give them a visual clue that this is a safe place to lay. It also helps to disturb the area they were laying so they won't go back (which means they might find another secret location)

They look for shady, covered spots. We often find eggs in the tall grass, that would have been shaded in the morning, but is exposed in the afternoon, or in buckets laying on their sides, or an overturned trash can. We've even found them in our compost bin.

 

[coltssuperbowl83]

ok sounds great guys i will keep them locked up for a couple of days. We will see what happens........Thanks.