Silkies laying in bushes!!!

[Ilovechickens119]

Hi all I have two silkies and two Pekin bantams, I introduced the silkies about a month ago. They free range in an enclosed area in the daytime and the silkies won’t lay in the nesting box they keep laying in the bushes. My worry is when they’re broody they will try and nest in there at night. What can I do to make sure they start laying in the nest box?
Thanks for any replies!

 

[AllenK RGV]

I get no compliance from my silkies. I think the only option is destroy their nests when you find them that is all that ever works for me and even then not well or for long. We don't keep them penned during daylight and they free range keeping us a bit more active with yardwork than desired. Golf balls and fake eggs are sometimes a bit effective. @aart might have better suggestions.

 

[aart]

Hi all I have two silkies and two Pekin bantams, I introduced the silkies about a month ago. They free range in an enclosed area in the daytime and the silkies won’t lay in the nesting box they keep laying in the bushes. My worry is when they’re broody they will try and nest in there at night. What can I do to make sure they start laying in the nest box?
Thanks for any replies!

Are the pekins bullying them away from the nests?
Do you have a smaller run other than the 'range' area?
Pics would help here.
I'd confine all the birds to coop and run until they get with the program.
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.

 

[Ilovechickens119]

Are the pekins bullying them away from the nests?
Do you have a smaller run other than the 'range' area?
Pics would help here.
I'd confine all the birds to coop and run until they get with the program.
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.

Thank you so much. The pekins are broody at the moment so maybe they are feeling scared to go in the coop to lay? They lay their eggs in the morning, usually quite early, so I will keep them in their run until about midday. Many thanks for your help

 

[aart]

The pekins are broody at the moment so maybe they are feeling scared to go in the coop to lay?

That can cause problems.
Are the broodies on eggs to hatch....in the coop nests?
Pics of your coop and run, inside and out, would help here.

 

[Ilovechickens119]

That can cause problems.
Are the broodies on eggs to hatch....in the coop nests?
Pics of your coop and run, inside and out, would help here.

No, they’re not on eggs, just broodies. What I have done is shut the pekins out of the run into the enclosed free range area today and left the silkies in the run so they have the coop all to themselves. Hopefully the silkies will discover that they need to lay in the coop! Many thanks

 

[aart]

No, they’re not on eggs, just broodies. What I have done is shut the pekins out of the run into the enclosed free range area today and left the silkies in the run so they have the coop all to themselves.

Oh, that's a good idea!
I put my broodies in a crate to break 'em fast.