So Frustrated

[Barb Root Hinkkanen]

I still can't fine where my Lucy is laying her eggs. I try to watch her and the second I look down or turn around she is gone! There must be a dozen eggs in her clutch by now. I don't know what else to do. If I keep her confined for a few days, I feel she will start laying in the egg box again, but, then what about those eggs? I don't want attract any predators.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I still can't fine where my Lucy is laying her eggs. I try to watch her and the second I look down or turn around she is gone! There must be a dozen eggs in her clutch by now. I don't know what else to do. If I keep her confined for a few days, I feel she will start laying in the egg box again, but, then what about those eggs? I don't want attract any predators.

Consider the hidden eggs a loss, lock her/ the flock up for a week or so and move on.

 

[HuskerHens18]

My hens do this all the time, I just have to move on. Eventually I'll be an hour or two late opening the coop door and they'll go back to laying in their nest boxes again. I agree with Ol Grey Mare, lock them up just in case a predator is attracted to the lost eggs.

 

[pvaldes]

are the eggs fertile?

 

[bobbi-j]

Let her out a few hours late. Don’t be blatant about watching her. She wants to be sneaky.

 

[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.