Lost Eggs!??

[eddie-k]

This may sound really stupid, but I'm a new egg, sooo... I was given a few wild game hens a couple of weeks ago. I mean really wild. I can't get withing 15 feet of them and they won't get close to roosting in the little chicken coop at night. They roost about 10 feet up one of our trees in the back yard. One of them layed a couple of eggs shortly after I got them, but I haven't seen one of their eggs in about 10 days. I've looked around but can't find a nest on the ground anywhere. Is there some game hen nesting characteristic I should be looking for when searching? I know this is probably a retarded question, but I really don't want the hen to start setting and have a bunch of wild game chickens running around. I like their eggs, but I'm kind of partial to my buff orps. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

 

[cjeanean]

LOL, from what I've read on this forum hens are VERY GOOD at hiding their nests!!! If they are going broody, u won't see them or their nests for about a month, except for maybe once a day to grab some food and take a huge dump. They may also be molting, I've read that chickens stop laying when it's time to molt. Good luck!!!

 

[robinaggie]

except for maybe once a day to grab some food and take a huge dump

 

[eddie-k]

Still no signs of the game hens nest, and thank goodness for no golfball sized chicken poop! Probably just a very inconsistent layer.

 

[Mahonri]

I've seen game hens lay eggs in the most bizzare places. We once had an old combine and one climbed up inside of it to get broody once. I've seen them in the middle of rose bushes. They prefer very shaded spots. Good luck. They really do keep the bugs cleaned up around your home... You gotta love them for that.

 

[eddie-k]

They do stay very busy, I'll give 'em that. I just wish they'd catch the stinking skeeters along with all the other bugs their eating. It would really make life in the backyard wonderful and I'd sure appreciate them then.

 

[MaransGuy]

They may not be laying at all. It is normal for hens to stop laying for a while when their environment changes, especially when moved. They should start laying again soon.

 

[MaransGuy]

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