Laying out side of the coop

[kkolk]

one of my hen started laying outside of coop

I found about 12 eggs in the brush

Couple question

1 are the egggs ok to eat

2. How c an I get her to not lay outside

 

[Rickba]

It's normal. Yes, they are OK to eat. I have a couple hens that lay their eggs where ever they are when it's time. I just pick 'em up when I collect my eggs and put 'em in the cartons with the rest.

 

[MaryZoe]

1) I probably would not eat 12 eggs I found outside my nest because eggs are porous and I would not know what they had been exposed to in those 12 days.

2) When my hens lay in places other than their nest, I look at their nest boxes to try to determine what it is about them that they don't like. I have treated them for pests (chicken lice, mites) and added plenty of fresh bedding in them. I can usually find a reason that they prefer the bushes to their boxes. You might want to check for such things as well. But sometimes a hen just prefers the great outdoors (or even worse--the coop floor!). Not much we can do!

 

[chicmom]

Hello! Are you sure it's one hen who laid all those eggs? You could keep your flock restricted to the coop and run until around 5:00, then let them free range. The hens will probably have laid their eggs in the coop by then.

I would think that you should crack the eggs into a small bowl as you use them, just to be safe, to check them to see if they're fresh enough to eat. If they are fertile, and you have a roo, they could have chicks developing in them. Did you see a hen setting on them?

 

[Rickba]

If you're unsure, crack the egg in a bowl before cooking. You'll know if it's good to eat or not.

 

[kkolk]

Hello! Are you sure it's one hen who laid all those eggs? You could keep your flock restricted to the coop and run until around 5:00, then let them free range. The hens will probably have laid their eggs in the coop by then.

I would think that you should crack the eggs into a small bowl as you use them, just to be safe, to check them to see if they're fresh enough to eat. If they are fertile, and you have a roo, they could have chicks developing in them. Did you see a hen setting on them?

She does not sit on them. It maybe more than one hen but I have been getting 5 eggs a day
I was getting 6
That's why I think it's only one

 

[kkolk]

1) I probably would not eat 12 eggs I found outside my nest because eggs are porous and I would not know what they had been exposed to in those 12 days.

2) When my hens lay in places other than their nest, I look at their nest boxes to try to determine what it is about them that they don't like. I have treated them for pests (chicken lice, mites) and added plenty of fresh bedding in them. I can usually find a reason that they prefer the bushes to their boxes. You might want to check for such things as well. But sometimes a hen just prefers the great outdoors (or even worse--the coop floor!). Not much we can do!

You have a good point
I think the coop maybe getting too small
My silkie hens are broody right now and are hogging the nesting boxes
I am going to make more room and see if that helps