will chickens lay without having a coop?

Yes they will lay without a coop or nestbox. Where they will lay is the question. If they've got the run of the yard, then you may want to start the egg hunts.

Have fun,

Imp

 

I agree with Imp, when they are ready to lay, they'll find a place. If you want them to lay in the fenced in run, You could try placing a milk crate on it's side with some pine shavings in it, or a covered cat box, etc. and they might use that as a nest box.

Good luck!

 

Mine have a coop and choose not to lay in it LOL

THey are laying in it again now but were laying in a quiet corner of the pen for a while. My other chooks used to free range, and for all they had a house they slept on top of the BBQ and layed in the most rediculous of places. One time i found a whole stack of eggs under our old car that lives in the backyard. Ive also found them under a piece of wood that i still dont know how the fit under

 

Mine have two coops and lots of nest boxes and always choose the hedge, bramble bushes, dog's bed etc.

 

They will lay without a coop, but they may not be safe without a coop.

 

When you gotta lay an egg, you gotta lay an egg. Coop availability not withstanding.

 

Mine have a beautiful coop, run, 2 nest boxes and free range our small backyard. I find eggs in the compost bin, up in the tree line, in empty pots, in the shrubs, in the zucchini plants (which are fenced in like a secure prison facility and we have no idea how she is getting in there). Go figure. I'd suggest setting up at least a safe place with shavings in it and putting in some golf balls to give them an idea of where to lay.

 

I'm wondering if you already have eggs and haven't found the stash. My BR started at 18 weeks and my Delaware and Jersey Giant were 22 weeks when they started. So, I'd begin the hunt now! Ha ha