/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

Miss independent : /

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by 1crazychicklady, Oct 17, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 17, 2014 #1
    1crazychicklady

    1crazychicklady In the Brooder

    39
    0
    22
    May 30, 2014
    Massachusetts
    I have 11 hens that free range. I only have 1 easter egger and I haven't been seeing any colored eggs so I thought maybe she hadn't started to lay yet ..... however today I found that she has made a nest in the yard and has layed 8 eggs in it!! and to make it worse another hen who had been laying in the boxes also started laying next to her in the yard!! How do I get them to lay in the nest boxes??? All the other hens lay in the boxes so why won't these two?
     
  2. Oct 18, 2014 #2
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler! Premium Member 5 Years

    47,762
    25,670
    1,082
    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    Do you have enough nests, enough coop space?

    Might be the EE is low bird and is chased away from the nests?

    There might be no telling why this bird wants to lay where shes laying, but not unusual that others would start to lay there too.

    You can either gather the eggs from the yard nest..or you can 'train' your birds to lay in the coop nests.

    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 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.
     
  3. Oct 18, 2014 #3
    woody1

    woody1 Songster

    121
    5
    101
    Dec 8, 2010
    Just North of the PRK
    Put a nest egg in at least one of your nest boxes. Where they see an "egg" they think it's a good place too.
     
  4. Oct 18, 2014 #4
    thechxwhisperer

    thechxwhisperer Songster

    281
    28
    118
    Sep 2, 2014
    Florida
    You could also leave the hens in the coop for a day or two.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: