New layers - where will they lay?

[aart]

I do have a run. I have Orpingtons, Brahmas, Marans, and an EE - all kind of known as late bloomers - so it could be months before they are all laying (and I'm pretty sure none have started.) Doesn't seem fair to keep them all confined that long, given how the cockerel was behaving before they started free-ranging. I mean, it can be done, and I can let the cockerel out on his own to free-range to prevent HIM from being a problem...

Is it recommended I keep them confined until they are all laying?

(Also, I mis-counted. They are more like 4 months old. I've been counting by weeks.)

Weeeelllll....you could just start confining them for parts of the day, on an irregular schedule, so they get used to it, then will be easier to confine them longer if or when 'laying in the nests' becomes an issue.

The cockerel issue is another story, 4 months is prime cockerel trouble time.
When most folks ponder whether they really want a male in the flock.

Is the run large and filled with things of interest?
2x2's and branches for roosts in run. Logs, stumps, pallets leaned against wall or up on concrete blocks, grazing frames, old table/chairs/benches.
Dimensions and pics might garner some suggestions to make it a nice place for them al to be.

 

[brewfarm]

All my hens have always been free range. We built nesting boxes when they were about 3 months old. We filled them full of bedding and just left them there. The hens had no trouble finding them and using them. Early on I did find an egg under the roosting bars. Then, after I built a brooder, a couple of them found a little hiding spot. Once that was covered up they went right back to the nesting boxes.
Come to think of it though, I may have been training them without thinking about it. The coop is closed until after sunrise. I have a light that comes on a couple hours before. The idea was to give them 14 hours total of light. But, that also means that when they wake up- and want to lay- they have nowhere to go except the boxes.