New Layer Built Her Own Private Nest...I need advice

[Bhapimama]

So here's the scenario: I'm a single mom of four. These days it's my youngest daughter and me (the rest have flown the coop....I'm talking about human children, just to be clear). 5 months ago my 16 year old daughter, Zoey and I began this chicken project and it has been sooooo much fun and in my opinion, KEY to us having something in common and maintaining and growing our bond when our once household of six, has shrunken to a household of two. Anyone who has raised teenagers can relate to how hard it is to maintain that bond... Anyone who has raised four teens on their own, can REALLY relate
Anyways the dilemma I am facing involves my daughter's favorite chicken, "Peep". She's a beautiful, sweet, independent Barred Rock. We have four girls - 2 EE's (Henny and Laya), a Gold Laced Wyandotte (Pox) and Peep. They are just about 20 weeks. Laya started laying 2 weeks ago and everything went off without a hitch. We get a beautiful blueish-green egg from her every morning which she kindly leaves in the nesting box.
Peep started laying shortly after Laya but she started with some shell-less eggs and at different times of the day and in different places.
Now she seems to have settled in to laying a very nice little brown egg, every morning.....in her "secret" nest that she made outside of their run in some brush up against the house.
We have a nice big yard (about 1/4 acre) and I have a vegetable garden. I built the girls a 25x15' run with a little pre-fab henhouse with the intention of letting them free range as I see fit. So far, especially with my daughter being out of school for the summer, they've been pretty much free-ranging from sun-up to sunset without wreaking too much havoc on my garden.
Buuuuuut.....as the other two pullets reach maturity, I'd really like them to be laying in the nesting boxes. So I've been trying to keep the girls in the run for a good portion of the day so that when Henny and Pox start laying, they will learn to use the nesting boxes. I'm kind of ok with Peep doing her own thing - Zoey really loves her and thinks her nest is very special and has been very opposed to destroying it or moving it. But it has created a situation where we are having to let Peep out in time to get to her nest and lay her egg every morning. Yesterday Zoey was a little late getting out there (I was at work) and she said Peep was in a panic, running up and down the fence line and poking her head through the livestock wire.
Once the other two start laying, hopefully in the boxes, I think I'm ok with letting them free-range all day which will eliminate the dilemma of having to let Peep out in time to lay her egg, but I'm concerned that there may be some unforeseen circumstance that would make me regret this situation.
Sorry for the novel - thanks to anyone who takes the time to read it and ANY insight and/or advice is greatly appreciated

 

[BYCforlife]

Thanks for joining!

 

[NewChickmom2016]

Bhapimama-
We have 3 hens- turned 1 year mid June. They were kept in their run until after all started laying. Now they are pretty much free range in our backyard all day long. They will each go in the coop to the nesting boxes to lay. So far no hidden eggs- but we did have a close call with our Buff Orpington trying to hide in some overgrown jasmine! Trimming the plants stopped that endeavor!
I would think keeping your soon to be laying gals in the run until after they lay each day, and doing so for a couple weeks, will probably set they habit in their minds. Do you have "trainer eggs" - we used golf balls- in the nesting boxes? We did just until recently when one of our gals went broody and was trying her best to hatch them!
Hopefully some more experienced chicken parents will give your their thoughts.
I hope you and your daughter enjoy your hens - what a great experience to share!
-Jerie

 

[Bhapimama]

Bhapimama-
We have 3 hens- turned 1 year mid June. They were kept in their run until after all started laying. Now they are pretty much free range in our backyard all day long. They will each go in the coop to the nesting boxes to lay. So far no hidden eggs- but we did have a close call with our Buff Orpington trying to hide in some overgrown jasmine! Trimming the plants stopped that endeavor!
I would think keeping your soon to be laying gals in the run until after they lay each day, and doing so for a couple weeks, will probably set they habit in their minds. Do you have "trainer eggs" - we used golf balls- in the nesting boxes? We did just until recently when one of our gals went broody and was trying her best to hatch them!
Hopefully some more experienced chicken parents will give your their thoughts.
I hope you and your daughter enjoy your hens - what a great experience to share!
-Jerie

We do have "trainer eggs".... It's so funny I put one in each box (there's only two, with a little "half-wall" divider) and for some reason, every day, Laya moves the one out of the other nest into to her favorite nest ... Lol. And thank you, we are enjoying every minute

 

[NewChickmom2016]

Funny!
We put 2 golf balls in each of our 2 nesting boxes.
In the beginning - one was the favorite box- always someone yelling to at another to get out!
Now- either will do!

 

[Beer can]

Give them time, they'll eventually all lay in the nest boxes. I've had many birds, sometimes they don't lay in the boxes, sometimes they when young just lay wherever, in mud even. Just keep removing the eggs and eventually they'll lay where everyone else does.

 

[Pork Pie]

Give them time, they'll eventually all lay in the nest boxes. I've had many birds, sometimes they don't lay in the boxes, sometimes they when young just lay wherever, in mud even. Just keep removing the eggs and eventually they'll lay where everyone else does.

I agree - at least you know where she is currently laying, so it's not a big deal imo.