Newbie laying question

[Sshaw]

Is it best to keep chickens in the coop for a certain part of the day so hey lay in the nesting boxes or do they know to go back and lay there? We are new to chickens and trying to figure it out!

 

[Pork Pie]

Some do but from my limited experience, they seem to know where to lay but just keep an eye out for eggs around the garden!

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

When they first start to lay, eggs can happen anywhere...in the run, outside while free ranging, while they are on the roost, etc. It can take a little time for them to figure out to use the nesting boxes in the coop. You can put golf balls or plastic eggs in the nesting boxes so they get the hint that's a good place to lay.

They'll figure it out (usually) and then will travel back and forth to leave their eggs in the boxes.

 

[Sshaw]

Thanks!

 

[aart]

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.

 

[JNGLFEVR]

I have had such an issue with mine since I started letting them out to roam. NONE of them would come back to the coop to lay!!! I was finding eggs ALL over the place even the neighbors were coming over to let me know they were laying in their yard also. I started keeping them cooped up for 2-3 days at a time & then tried letting them out again only to find them laying in the yard again!!! So now the stay cooped up till they lay then they are let of for the remaining part of the day!!! I clean their coop daily & have tried putting hay not only in their boxes but a little in their coop also but nothing seems to bring them back to the coop to lay!!!