Laying outside the nest boxes

[ThistleN]

We have been letting our chickens free range much more lately and as a result the last few days two of our hens have layed in different areas of the yard. One in particular lays in a bush and so I have kept them contained to the run and coop all day yesterday and this morning. Yesterday there were no eggs in the nest box and first thing this morning I found an egg in the run. The hen who likes laying in the bush was desperate to get out of the run this morning to get to the bush, I let her out and she immediately ran for that spot and layed an egg within minutes. Is there a reason they are refusing the nest boxes now? Should I just keep them contained to the run and coop for a while until they start laying in there again?

 

[MountainWoman73]

Should I just keep them contained to the run and coop for a while until they start laying in there again?
[/QUOTE]

Yes. That's one way to break the habit. Mine always like discovering a new box, so rearranging things in the coop and freshening up their straw may help. Also, how much shade do your boxes have? Adding chicken curtains might help them feel they're being sneaky. My hens' favorite nests are the one they made themselves on a shelf that's supposed to be for sleeping, and one made out of a wicker cat cave that I screwed to the wall. (Like a spherical basket with a 7" diameter hole). Absolutely no one lays in the original nest boxes I built. But sometimes they'll lay in the nests after I clean the coop because they like fresh straw.

 

[ThistleN]

My boxes are very shaded and they were laying in them for months before this. I will try cleaning out the boxes and adding fresh hay and keeping them contained in the run for a few days. Thanks for the suggestions

 

[aart]

Is there a reason they are refusing the nest boxes now?

Did you check the nests for pests?
How many birds in how big a coop(in feet by feet) with how many nests?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Could just be that yo are letting them range, might have to lock them back up until later in the day.
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.

 

[ThistleN]

Did you check the nests for pests?
How many birds in how big a coop(in feet by feet) with how many nests?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Could just be that yo are letting them range, might have to lock them back up until later in the day.
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.

We have 4 hens 4 pullets. The run is about 16 x 16 and we have 3 nest boxes, they had been laying in there consistenly for the last year but I definitely think its because I've let them free range almost all day lately. Thanks for the advice, I did clean the nest boxes completely out and put fresh hay and golf balls in them and the next day we had 2 eggs in there going to keep them confined 24/7 for a few more days and also not let them free range until later in the day as suggested.