They are not laying in the boxes..

[BarredBuff]

Mine free range and the first 2 days we let them out, 10 eggs each day. Then after those first two days got 9 one day and 8 the other, and when I got 9 there was 8 in the house and I found that last one outside the yard. Then since then we have been going down by 2 each day got 6 friday and 4 saturday. How can I get them to lay in the boxes? Where would there ideal location to lay outside be?

 

[trilyn]

Try locking them up in the coop for a week to reestablish where they're supposed to lay. Ideally, anywhere dark and closed-in, is where they'd be laying eggs. Under bushes, under porch steps, etc. My goofballs laid eggs in a wheelbarrow that was full of hay for my rabbit!

 

[Warthog]

I would certainly keep them locked in their pen/coop for the next week, until they learn that that is where to lay eggs.

I have another 10 coming up to laying age, next week they will be in the pen locked up for the week. Just to make sure, they free range over bush land, and I just wouldn't be able to find eggs if they laid out there.

 

[digitS']

The poultry scientists say that there is an "open period" of about 8 hours when hens are laying each day. The peak for this period comes about 16 hours after dark on the previous day. So, 12 hours after sundown to 20 hours after sundown is the time when most eggs are laid. (In my experience, newly-laying pullets don't know how to read a clock very well but they do catch on after awhile.)

Okay, if the open period runs until about 20 hours from the previous day, that leaves 4 hours before dark on the following day. Seldom, will eggs be laid during the last 4 hours of daylight.

It isn't hard-and-fast. However, hens are not likely to build nests somewhere they usually can't get to when it is time for them to lay. If you have them running loose thru the entire day, "Finding Nests Outdoors" had better be a skill on your chicken-keeping resume.

My hens won't even pester me about getting out in the morning. They know it doesn't work and they have more important things to do.

Steve

 

[Zahboo]

digitS' :

The poultry scientists say that there is an "open period" of about 8 hours when hens are laying each day. The peak for this period comes about 16 hours after dark on the previous day. So, 12 hours after sundown to 20 hours after sundown is the time when most eggs are laid. (In my experience, newly-laying pullets don't know how to read a clock very well but they do catch on after awhile.)

Okay, if the open period runs until about 20 hours from the previous day, that leaves 4 hours before dark on the following day. Seldom, will eggs be laid during the last 4 hours of daylight.

It isn't hard-and-fast. However, hens are not likely to build nests somewhere they usually can't get to when it is time for them to lay. If you have them running loose thru the entire day, "Finding Nests Outdoors" had better be a skill on your chicken-keeping resume.

My hens won't even pester me about getting out in the morning. They know it doesn't work and they have more important things to do.

Steve

I got lost.... Can you explain that a little more?​

 

[digitS']

"Seldom, will eggs be laid during the last 4 hours of daylight."

If you want your chickens to free-range, maybe that is the best time for them to be out.

Steve

 

[newchicksnducks]

digitS aka Steve seems to be right. Mine are usually done laying by 5pm or so, so that would probably be your safest time to allow them to free range. Mine have been laying since fall, although the did lay light during the winter. For the past month or so we have been getting 10-11 from our 13 remaining hens. Even when free ranging during the day, they'll make a bee-line for the coop a squawking when they have an egg to lay Let's hope it stays that way

 

[geese'n'chickenlovr]

My little sneaks try to lay their eggs in the back of our golfcart!!Probably lock them up more

 

[catsmithpuddin]

Ok let me see if I am tracking here. Ours are just starting to lay. Started sometime this weekend. Lock them up for a week and then let them free range in the afternoon and we should be ok???????????

 

[GardenWeasel]

We have a BA who lays on the lawn tractor. She was quite dismayed when my DH had to mow the lawn for the first time this year. She was squawking at him as he cleaned it up and as soon as he parked it she was instantly on her nest. He was in awe. I just laughed.