Learned something today

[slatts]

My mixed flock of ten layers are at 6-1/2 months and laying well. I had been keeping them in the coop until noon or later because I was worried that they would lay in the woods if I let them out earlier. As an experiment I let them out at 7 am today. They all went out to range but each came dutifully into their nest box to lay. The last egg came around 3 pm. Ended up with 8 eggs. I will keep letting them out early until I find a good reason not to.

 

[azygous]

You instinctively did the correct thing by cooping them up. It imprinted on them that the coop was "home", and their safe retreat. You will never have to worry about them not returning to it to lay and roost for the night. Good job!

 

[aart]

Yep, good call!
It is possible that at some time they might start laying out in their range area.
If they do, you now know what to do..... re-home them by confining until later in the day for a week or so.