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Most hens prefer to lay their eggs in private, in a small enclosed area near to their roost.
They have a natural instint to 'nest' and will almost always use the nesting box provided.
Sometimes a hen might seem a bit lost as to what to do, so a false egg or a Golf ball can be put in the nesting box as a 'hint' for them.
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∙ 13y ago
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How do you get chickens to lay inside the coop?
Make laying boxes or nesting boxes for the hens to lay in. They should catch on to, and prefer the laying boxes on their own.
You just relocated your laying hens how long before they start to lay eggs again?
A disruption in routine can cause a slow down in egg production for as long as 10 days. Once the hens settle back in and find nesting boxes to their liking they will resume egg laying.
Do chickens prefer to lay eggs in dark places?
Hens lay based off of how warm it is so it realy dependswhere you are. If you wake up in the morning and the hens have laid that does not mean that they lay because it is dark but, it just means it is the perfect time for laying.
Will two different hens lay their eggs in the same place?
Most hens have a preference as to where they lay their eggs. If a broody hen takes over the communal nest then the other hens will find a new spot to lay. It is always a good idea in a small flock to provide alternate nesting boxes just for this reason. When one hen goes broody, the other hens do not go off laying. If you are missing eggs, it is quite likely that the brood hen is taking what she can find to her own clutch.
How many chickens per laying box?
In some flocks as many as 10 hens or more will use a single laying box or nest. Depending on the size of the box it is not uncommon to see two birds nesting at the same time otherwise they will wait their turn and deposit an egg right after the box is vacated.
Hen that lays on the floor instead of in the nesting box?
I have found you can build the finest nesting boxes in the world, but hens are like kids, you buy them that expensive Christmas gift and they spend two weeks playing in the box. Hens will lay where they feel comfortable. Half mine uses the nesting boxes 10 or so use the floor and I have one that lays in an old tennis shoe my son threw in the pen. Go figure!
Why are your chickens laying on the ground and not in their nesting boxes like they did before?
Most often this is caused by another hen using the nest when others are ready to lay. If a hen cannot lay in a nest they will find a convenient place just about anywhere. You might also want to freshen the nesting material in the nest daily. Some hens will not lay where another hen has soiled.
How to discourage broody hens?
Simply pick them up, and shoo them out of/ away from the nest/nesting boxes. Repeat this as many times as neccessary, they should catch on eventually!
Where do hens lay eggs when they first start laying?
generally, for the first few times, the egg will be laid in random places, then as they get into a routine, the hen will lay in the nesting box
How do you find free range chickens' eggs?
Your hens should still lay in their nesting boxes, even after they are let out to free range. If they dont (are young/inexperienced) then they will lay werever they see fit. If your hens are ex-battery hens, they will not even lay in boxes; they just drop eggs were they are standing. (If you dont keep the door to the coop open, you should!)
Will your hens go in the roost to lay eggs?
Most hens prefer a quiet dark area to lay their eggs. Free range hens will often return to the roost to lay an egg. They will sometimes seek out any available hay stack. If nesting boxes are provided when the hens are young they will usually go anywhere you put the boxes.
When chickens have settled how long is it until they lay?
It can take up to a week or more for the hens to settle down and get to laying. Be patient and supply a clean, quiet, dark nesting area for them.
