Naughty Girls!

[mrsfitz88]

So, most of my girls are ‘ on the brink’ laying wise and I let them free-range. I had a hunch so I kept them in their coop until noon today. Wouldn’t you know it, I got an extra egg . What are the odds that the timing was THAT perfect? I think tomorrow they may stay in even later, LOL!

 

[ValerieJ]

Yay! An egg! We forget sometimes that we have chickens for eggs.

I wonder if you would find more eggs in their free range area, hidden in bushes, tall grasses, etc.

 

[DiYMama540]

I'm with @ValerieJ on this one...sounds like you have a hidden treasure somewhere in their free range area!!

 

[mrsfitz88]

Possibly but they spend most of their time in our creek, and I’m just not THAT interested. We’re on 9 acres so the odds of finding the stash are slim.

 

[ValerieJ]

Possibly but they spend most of their time in our creek, and I’m just not THAT interested

Ah...we are talking about ducks, right?

 

[mrsfitz88]

Ah...we are talking about ducks, right?

Nope, they’re proper southern girls who spend all day hanging with their little chicken toes in the creek

 

[aart]

I think tomorrow they may stay in even later

Yep, or longer if you want those eggs 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 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.

 

[sourland]

I think that you need to search your yard for a hidden nest.