Not laying in laying boxes

[Eric R]

I have a few hens that I'm sure have started laying but aren't laying in the nest boxes with the others. They free range all day so they came into laying with the option to lay where ever they want unlike the ones that do lay in the laying boxes. My question is: How many eggs can/will gather in 1 place before they change where they want to lay? Or will they just keep laying egg after egg no matter what in a place that I can't find? Will this cause them to go broody or not necessarily?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Lock them all up for a week or two to train them where to lay.

Good luck

Gary

 

[AllynTal]

With the reduced hours of daylight each day, it's possible that your pullets have delayed the start of laying. Have you checked their vents to determine if they are, in fact, laying now?

If your chickens are laying out in their free-range area somewhere, it is quite possible that predators are getting the eggs, so it's quite likely there won't be an accumulation of eggs somewhere. Laying eggs won't 'make' them go broody. It's a hormone thing that can occur no matter where they lay. It's an instinctive thing to want to lay in a cozy hiding place, so if you want to look around for nesting spots, look in and under things. One member (I think it was here) had a hen laying in a hollow tree. If you can take the time to do so, hang out with the flock and then follow pullets when they strike off on their own away from the flock. She might lead you to her secret spot.

As Gary said, keeping them contained for a week or so will encourage them to use the nest boxes. Scrutinize your nest boxes for suitability. Is it possible the pullets have looked for an alternative place to lay because the nest boxes are not to their liking? (too small? infested? too few? no privacy?)

 

[Eric R]

With the reduced hours of daylight each day, it's possible that your pullets have delayed the start of laying. Have you checked their vents to determine if they are, in fact, laying now?

If your chickens are laying out in their free-range area somewhere, it is quite possible that predators are getting the eggs, so it's quite likely there won't be an accumulation of eggs somewhere. Laying eggs won't 'make' them go broody. It's a hormone thing that can occur no matter where they lay. It's an instinctive thing to want to lay in a cozy hiding place, so if you want to look around for nesting spots, look in and under things. One member (I think it was here) had a hen laying in a hollow tree. If you can take the time to do so, hang out with the flock and then follow pullets when they strike off on their own away from the flock. She might lead you to her secret spot.

As Gary said, keeping them contained for a week or so will encourage them to use the nest boxes. Scrutinize your nest boxes for suitability. Is it possible the pullets have looked for an alternative place to lay because the nest boxes are not to their liking? (too small? infested? too few? no privacy?)

Perhaps

 

[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 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.

 

[Eric R]

Yes. I purposefully installed their laying boxes outside of the hen house rather than inside simply because it just gets WAY too hot over here for most of the year. I installed them under the hen house still about a foot off the ground which would also give them some shade and makes it cozy but if I lock them all in the coop, the hens that are in the run will bother the hens that are in the nesting boxes. What I may need to do is maybe wall off the front of the nesting boxes a bit with a small entrance so that the ones laying can still have their privacy. Otherwise it's just too open to the public. hahaha

 

[chickens really]

Location would help?...

 

[aart]

What I may need to do is maybe wall off the front of the nesting boxes a bit with a small entrance so that the ones laying can still have their privacy.

They don't need 'privacy', that's a human thing, but they do need to feel 'safe'.
Seeing some pics of your setup, and knowing your location, might help us help you.

 

[Eric R]

I'm in Houston, TX. Here is a pic. It's hard to tell but there are 2 laying right now and another got scared off when I took the pic. That's why I think I could just wall off the front side where the hen house starts. That will still be plenty of room for them to pick a box.

 

[aart]

I might add a bit more of a lip on the front of nests...
....and a perch about 8" in front of nests to make them easier to get into.