Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[sapphichicks]

How do I stop my chicken from laying outside the coop? The head of the pecking order Lucy, was broody for a week or two and during that time no eggs were laid by the chickens. When she stopped being broody one of my chickens, Boo, has started finding a way out of her chicken run into the garden (they free range most of the day) and lays her eggs in a difficult place to get to so most I try to retrieve are broken. How can I get her to lay in the coop again? I try putting her in there when she begins her demented behaviour running up and down the fence trying to find a way out in the mornings and its clear she wants to lay an egg. She just gets out and continues the running until she forces her way out. Any ideas?

PPBoo Lucy PPShrek PPGeorge (Bluebelle)Moonie

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[Redwing]

You could try leaving some fake eggs (or marked real ones) in the nextbox to get the message across

 

Try letting them out later in the day so they lay before they free range

 

If they are slepping outdoors in their run its worth getting them back in to the habit of sleeping in their coop so they are more connected to the coop and more likely to return to lay

 

Also check the coop for mites, one of the main reasons why nest boxes are avoided

[sapphichicks]

Thanks for the advice but I already have a false egg in their nest box, I have never had mites. I dont let them free range until after the egg laying usually but this chicken is an escape artist, she is small so she can get through tiniest things. She has managed to get out of the run every time. She sleeps in the coop quite happily. I will have to reinforce the fencing but she gets so distressed pacing up and down and calling to get let out in the mornings. I pick her up place her in the nest box (all clean full of clean dry wood shavings) where she has laid eggs for a year but she just runs out and tries to escape from the run. Her behaviour began when Lucy went broody and started occupying the roost. I think it sort of unsettled them. Why Boo likes laying her eggs on a pile of old holly leaves and protected by some wooden pallets that are too heavy for me to move I just cannot fathom. I think even if I prevented her from getting out she would not lay in the house. It is just a bit weird. Any more ideas please??