Putting my Free-Rangers back in the Coop

[MotherOfDrackens]

Hi lovely people!
I have four Orps, two roos and two that have just started laying. They collectively refuse to sleep in the coop and all sleep together in the hedge I haven't discouraged it since I felt that perhaps the coop was a bit small. The problem is, they are also ignoring their nest boxes and laying in random places, like the middle of the lawn, or in the walkway

I was considering getting much larger coop with a run and putting them in the new coop to encourage them to lay but I'm worried it my stress them out and put them off lay.
I'm want to introduce 3 new point of lay hens and don't want them to do the same!
Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The best technique is to lock them in the coop for several days. That develops the habit of where to sleep and perhaps when they lay they'll also develop the habit to lay in the nests. That is truly the easiest way to solve the problem of sleeping in predatory areas.
That may be problematic if your coop is too small.

 

[Perris]

x2

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

x3

 

[Shadrach]

I free range. I've got pro tree climbers, had hedge squatters, roof sitters, nests all over the place. I wouldn't have it any other way.
However, I did eventually manage to get them to sleep in their coops. Now at roost time I call them out of the trees for supper and they come down and go into their coops.
I used bribery and timing.
Keep them a bit hugry for a couple of days; not starved, just peckish. At dusk (you need to be spot on with the timing bring them some food, preferably treats like tuna or meat with their normal food, place it on the ground close to their coop and 'encourage' them out of the bush. They will probably already be in the bush when it's the right time to do this.
The theory is, once the light level drops they are less confident about going up trees or into bushes. You can with a bit of patience, herd them into the coop as it gets dark.
They will get used to this routine eventually. Thye will however expect you to carry out this routine every night for some time.
Once they've got used to the coop being home, they'll lay more eggs in the coop. Free range chickens almost inevitably lay some eggs outside.
You could of course do what what others have suggested and lock them up.

 

[Shadrach]

I should also add, if you look at my coops page, you will see that my coops are on the small side. Essentially they are enclosed roost bars with nest boxes. The chickens get let out at a bit after sun up and don't return to their coops until dusk.
I've had chickens happily sleeping in coops with less than two square feet per fowl.

 

[MotherOfDrackens]

I should also add, if you look at my coops page, you will see that my coops are on the small side. Essentially they are enclosed roost bars with nest boxes. The chickens get let out at a bit after sun up and don't return to their coops until dusk.
I've had chickens happily sleeping in coops with less than two square feet per fowl.

Thanks this is so helpful!!

 

[MotherOfDrackens]

The best technique is to lock them in the coop for several days. That develops the habit of where to sleep and perhaps when they lay they'll also develop the habit to lay in the nests. That is truly the easiest way to solve the problem of sleeping in predatory areas.
That may be problematic if your coop is too small.

Thank you!! Will give it a shot