I'm debating fencing in a large area of the property for them to play in. It has a lot of ground cover and fallen trees, etc. Will they nest out there in the bush or will they do so in the coop? If they will nest outside, is there a way to discourage that? Will
First, establish the routine of laying. If you have good layers, that really like their box and lay on a routine, you'll have little issue. I have a light that comes on each morning at 5 am. This is year 'round. I'd like to think that it helps the hens establish a routine. All of them lay between 6:30 and 8:30, bang, bang, bang. By 9 am, they're quite "safe" to go outside to play, if I choose to let them out. I've had other breeds that were more inconsistent. However, they faithful returned to the coop, walked in, went into their nesting box and calmly laid their eggs, even in the afternoon. I think if they prefer to lay in their nesting boxes now, that won't change just because they have a larger playground.
