amroche Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Hi I have 5 hens have been getting four eggs for the past two months after a longish winter drought. Today I noticed 3 eggs under the hedge at the side of their run, which therefoe looks like hen number five has been laying for a while anyway!! Now the question: Can I or should I do anything to encourage her to lay in the nesting box inside like the rest? Its very hard to get at her eggs without getting, scratched and dirty!! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henslaved Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Is this hedge outside their run? If so I would just cut down their FR time until they have all done the deed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Fake eggs can help, but it's tricky once they've got into a routine. Could you put a load of plant pots or something in this spot to make them think again about where to lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amroche Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 Hi guys thanks for your reply, one out of the five only is going under the sheep wire(which surrounds their paddock), laying her eggs between the wire and the stone wall which borders the paddpck and then coming back in. The other four are all doing the deed upstairs in their nesting box, in their house. Cant block off the paddock under the sheep wire as it would cost a fortune! Cant reach the eggs as they are under a thorny hedge. At the moment only options seems to be to: Cut back or kill some part of the thorny hedge so I can get at this laying area every day. Leave the eggs to mother nature, mr fox whoever..... If I could identify which one it was, would keeping her in the hen house (still has a small area for ranging) for a few days work..? Strange she didnt copy all of her girlfriends and lay where they were laying...? Or maybe it isnt...? Any other tips welcome ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Yeah I would cut back the bush at least, you don't really want to leave loads of eggs laying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
