Araucana Hens

[Andros]

Hello everyone, I am a new to this Forum. I really do need some advice. I have two Araucana hens they are about 13 months old. Most of the time they are allowed to Free Range and this is the only time they would lay eggs. It does not matter how long they are in their coop they won't lay. But as soon as I let them out they would start laying again. Any thoughts on how I can change this?

 

[Judy]

My guess would be that keeping them in the coop is stressing them, which will cause hens to stop laying. I'm also guessing that when they are in the coop, you have them closed in. You might try leaving their door open and keeping their feed in there, to encourage them to become accustomed to it. I'd also make sure the coop is at least 8 sq ft of usable floor space, not counting the nest or food/water, and well ventilated.

 

[Andros]

Thank you for your response. I believe you are right in saying maybe the coop is stressing them out. Their coop is about 16x8 for two hens and one rooster. I think it is large enough but they don't like it. When they are in their coop they are VERY,VERY noisy. After keeping them in the coop for two days, I let them out (4/3/14). And before 9:00am they each had laid an egg and went on to take a dust bath. I am not going to put them in a coop again.

 

[Messipaw]

My EE is very temperamental. She likes to lay her eggs in very dark private places. Could it be to bright in the coop. My EE is also very vocal. She lays every other day and on laying days you can hear her miles away.
Good luck.