What time do you collect your eggs?

[aart]

When mine got to laying age, I kept them in the run until late in the afternoon when I was reasonably sure they were done laying for the day. The nest box was the most optimal spot so it was a natural choice for them to lay in there rather than in the run. Once they get into a habit, they usually keep doing it. So my goal was to make the habit using the next box. Conversely, if the habit is laying in the bushes or wherever...that's hard to break too. Usually requires confinement until they lay where you want them to lay.

This^^^

Using fake eggs/golf balls in the nests as 'bait' can help entice them to use the nests.

'Privacy' is subjective...the nest must feel secure to bird....some lay in open topped bins, some nests are boxed in.
I fashioned my nests to be like the old metal round holed nests, they seem to like them.

Oh and I collect at different times depending on weather, if it's wet I gather more often to avoid muck being tread into nests and onto eggs. When it's freezing I gather more often to avoid frozen eggs. When it's fair, I gather when I lock up coop at night.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Would you recommend using fake eggs from the get go? To get them to see what the nest boxes are for? Or wait and see if they are going to use them on their own? I'm not going to have a cozy place in the run for them to nest in, unless they do it under the coop. Ugh. lol

 

[aart]

I'd use the fake eggs right off.....and keep them in there.....I do, to spread the love.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Ok, sounds like a plan. Thank you!!

 

[1cutechick]

I have 8 hens and 1 little rooster. Sometimes we like to be gone overnight, or maybe 2 nights and can't find anyone to collect the eggs. We have just ordered an automatic chicken door, and can leave plenty of food and water. Has anyone ever made an "egg drawer" and how do you make it? I am concerned about having eggs sitting uncollected in the nests although the girls aren't laying much right now.

Also, a couple of the girls are laying in the goat barn in the corner. I've tried to put a ball or other object in their way, and a box with straw on top of the hay trough to get them to lay there. Everyday we come home and collect 1 - 2 broken eggs that the goats have stepped on. Any suggestion as to how to break them of this habit?

Thank you for any ideas.