young layers laying in bushes

[duckidaho]

We have16 hens ages 17-18 weeks. They are (or were) free range. We started getting one egg a day in the nest box, and an occasional one under a bush somewhere (if we found it). We decided to lock them in their henhouse and run and see what happened. Now we are getting three eggs a day. So obviously they've been laying in the bushes.

Question: How long should we confine them so that they learn to lay in nextboxes, before we let them have free range of the yard again (about 1/4 of a acre.)

 

[beginnerchick08]

Mine haven't started laying yet but just to make sure they dont lay in the bushes and learn bad behaviors i keep them locked up till about noon then let them out to free range.

 

[Jen4]

Hummm... I've been wondering this same question

 

[codybird]

Try putting golf balls or fake eggs in the nests you want them to use.

That might help.