Where does a chicken build a nest?

[aesch]

One of my girls has disappeared and I can't find her anywhere. She has returned to the fenced-in pen a few times but I can't figure out how she gets out (none of the others can get out and she can't fly), or gets back in. I'm quite sure she's sitting on a nest but where? How far will they range to build a nest and do they build on the ground or in a tree? Some of the trees that are close by have branches quite low so it would be easy for her to jump/hop limb to limb. I'm concerned because she hasn't access to water and my neighbor likes to feed the raccoons which would make a quick meal of her. Thank you for any help.

 

[Polish Hen House]

Most chickens make their nest on the ground. My friend's Americana build her nest under some hedged near their house. Check under bushes and low shrubs. Typically hens will build a nest in an area that they are used too so the nest should be close. I hope this helps.

 

[Gray Farms]

Somewhere low, secluded, covered, quiet, and dark.

 

[aart]

One of my girls has disappeared and I can't find her anywhere. She has returned to the fenced-in pen a few times but I can't figure out how she gets out (none of the others can get out and she can't fly), or gets back in. I'm quite sure she's sitting on a nest but where? How far will they range to build a nest and do they build on the ground or in a tree? Some of the trees that are close by have branches quite low so it would be easy for her to jump/hop limb to limb. I'm concerned because she hasn't access to water and my neighbor likes to feed the raccoons which would make a quick meal of her. Thank you for any help.

Better figure how she getting out and in...might be hard to do even if you have the time to sit and watch. If she's coming to eat and drink at around the same time every day, you could stake out the area and watch where she goes.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

There are posts around here mentioning eggs laid in crooks of low tree branches, in dust bathing depressions and even in shallow bucket amongst stored garden tools.

If you can't follow her lay nontoxic powder around the coop to capture footprints. Also check up high if she is a flyer in case she has found a roof edge escape.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I once saw a hen call down a clutch of chicks from a hollow tree. I've had them lay and even sit in the engine compartments of trucks. Next to drive in tellers. in empty 55 gallon drums. Under logs. Next to trees on creek banks. Besides fence post. In, on, or around every kind of farm building or part of farm building imagable. In feed troughs. Tractor seats, and planters. But if you'll do your part hens will reliability lay and sit in the right kind of purpose made nest.

 

[jp57]

I have to hunt around my property every day to catch where my girls are laying eggs. One thing I have found it that after I find a spot with multiple eggs, they usually won't lay there anymore.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Chickens pick some weird and random places for nests.

So far ours have chosen under a scrap lumber pile, under the hay tarp, in a hollow they created at the edge of the haystack. This last nest is their chosen laying spot. I have let them have this one and have uncovered the other two in an effort to get them to lay where it is convenient for me since the nesting boxes in the coop aren’t their favorite spot.

Watch her and see where she goes if you can. That is the only way we have been able to find the eggs they have been laying here.

 

[RWise]

I have found nests in fire pits, 5 gallon buckets, 55 gallon drums, under the house, in the weeds,,, etc.!.
I have a black fake egg, I place it in nests I do not want them to use and they abandon that nest. If I like the hiding place I put a golf ball in it so the girl/s will continue to use it. I also provide hidden nests,,,

 

[aesch]

Thank you for all your information. I think I've figured out how she escaped and have, hopefully, fixed it. Still looking around to see where she could have gone off to, although I don't have much hope at this point that she hasn't ended up as dinner for a raccoon. However, hope springs eternal and she may just pop up with a little brood of her own, I hope.