where are my eggs?

[twigcrafter]

I'm getting frustrated here.
I have a flock of 20 hens and 2 roos. The oldest hens where hatched in late April, The youngest, mid June. I'm lucky if I get 2 eggs a day and only one of my hens lays in the nesting box.

I think 3 are laying because they have a little poop on their butt feathers.

The first to lay, Mrs. Walker, started laying under the shed, then she moved to laying in a tree. Now I have no idea where she's laying them.

They are free range and I've searched everywhere I can think of.
I have fake eggs in the nesting box, I've kept them locked up til 11;00am and no luck . These are afternoon layers. I can't keep them cooped up all day in their little coop.

It has ample roosting but not very much walk around room. 6ftX6ft. by 7 1/2ft high. I made a checker board grid type roost, about 5 1/2 ft high so they have lots of room and still huddle together. looks like I could easily fit more. lol. Not gonna happen.

They eat like queens, dumor layer feed, plus lots of kitchen scraps. ( I babysit 4 kids and they never finish their dinner). Plus all the bugs they can find on about 3 acres of field and woods.

I'm tired of buying eggs and feeding these freeloaders .

Well that was a bit harsh. I do enjoy watching my chicken show. But where are my eggs !!!

thanks for letting me rant. My DH just laughs when I complain about my chickens.

 

[sourland]

'Hidden' - that's where they are.

 

[twigcrafter]

I know lol, I can't believe I've been out smarted by a bunch of chickens .

I keep thinking I will stumble across a massive pile of rotten eggs one day.

 

[sourland]

They can be sneaky.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

I know lol, I can't believe I've been out smarted by a bunch of chickens .

I keep thinking I will stumble across a massive pile of rotten eggs one day.

probably lol

you could try to lock them up for a week at least so they can re-familiarize themselves with 'home'

 

[junebuggena]

Without any mature hens to show them the ropes, you will need to confine them to a run for a few weeks till they get in the habit of using the nest boxes. Some dummy eggs will help show them where to put those eggs.

 

[twigcrafter]

The squeaky wheel gets the oil !,

Today i kept seeing "beauty" my chicken that actually lays her eggs in the nest boxes, in the coop all day. Well it was raining so I paid no mind. But when I went to get her egg tonight , there was 3 in the box!!!

happy, happy, joy, joy .

I guess it wasn't her all day. She's one of my 14 black australorps chickens.


Laura