The renegades are back

[Johnboy78]

And they are all renegades.
Found four eggs this morning in unauthorized locations.
Went on a hunt.
Raked out 15 more from under the deck.
I guess the little rebels have been laying despite the short days and the rain
and the Hamburgs didn't start so late after all.
Meanwhile eggs do show up in the nest part of the coop.
Someone is in there now.
Easiest thing I guess is to get that cheap lattice and nail it on.
Hate the waste of all those eggs. Temps have varied from hi 20's
to almost 60, hard to trust when they've been out an indeterminate length of time.
Mind you, I've only got 6 layers, the other 2 are ornamentals.
I hear what could be the egg cackle, gotta go.

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

It will help to leave an egg in each nest in which you want them to lay. Or, get some ceramic eggs to leave in the desired laying nests.

Why are they not laying in the nests you want them to? Are these nests open, do they lack privacy and protection?

I, on the advice of a neighbor with chickens, took three (so far) 5 Gallon Buckets, WITH LIDS, and he cut a square opening in each... I thought that I was providing private little protected nests for the smaller and bantam hens... but, you should see the big hens squeeze into those highly desired bucket nests to lay.

All the hens want and desire privacy, a roof on their nest, protection from the others, etc. The only other thing I can suggest is to to leave them inside the coop, locked in for a day or two in order that they lay in their approved nests, as they have no other choices.

I also have some hens that will "hold it" in as long as they can... and when I open the door to the "run - coop" they actually "run" themselves over to where I have some boxes with lids made into nests, as well.... two sides and a lid, a "roof" on each nest is what they all seem to want. NONE of mine lay in the open nests, and none of then lay outside in the bushes or yard.

Best of luck.

 

[Johnboy78]

Thanks for the advice CP.

Their in-coop nesting area is enclosed, all sides and top.
Two can fit in the space and sometimes do. Pulled two eggs
out of it today. They have all laid eggs in the right spot.
Maybe it's so busy they can't wait for an opening?

I blocked off under the deck with that cheap low coated wire garden fence,
happy my hardware store still had some.
Bought a couple of spackle buckets with lids and imitated your friend.
Put one in the spot where the first rebel eggs were found, packed it up with
some pine shavings, dried leaves and hay, tossed in some golf balls.
they were all inspecting it very carefully all afternoon.
When I can figure out where to put the other one I'll set it up as well.
Maybe someone will christen it tomorrow.

How long does it take to lay an egg anyway? Seems that a hen will be in there for 30-45 minutes.
Do they lay it quick and hang out with it awhile?
Does it take a long while to actually get it out and they need to recuperate before they can stagger out?

 

[cmom]