Laying eggs outside the coop

[AnimalChick329]

Sorry if this was discussed before. I built a coop but let my chickens free range during the day. One of my chickens lays egg in the nesting box in the coop. I get about an egg a day from her. I thought the other two, that are supposed to be Easter Eggers weren't laying because the only eggs I found in the nesting box was brown. Today I couldn't find one of my hens, typically as soon as they hear me in the yard with the pig they come running. The love my potbelly pig Milo. Anyway, Peep didn't show up with the other two and I couldn't hear her so I was worried. I found her under a bush with over a dozen eggs, sitting on them like she was going to hatch them. I don't have a rooster so that isn't likely. I have no idea how long these eggs have been under there so I'm guessing I need to pitch them. I took them all out from under there and put her in the coop, she is typically pretty chill in the coop, but when I went out to check on her she was pacing and fretting and as soon as I opened the door she took off for the bush where the eggs were and sat back in the now empty "nest" (It's really just where she scratched out a dip in the dirt.). What should I do? I put the eggs in the coop with her thinking she would figure out THAT is where she is supposed to lay eggs but now she doesn't want to be in the coop. Sorry if I'm rambling but this is weird behavior for her. She has always walked around the yard with her two sister hens and went in the coop fine so I'm at a loss.

 

[MarkJr]

If she ran back to the nest, she may be broody. Put 3-4 eggs back under her so she stays put. Wait for nightfall. If she’s still on them, she’s broody. You will want to break her of that.

To get them to lay in the boxes, lock them up with no parole for a week. They will be forced to find a ‘new’ safe spot to lay, and will keep returning to that spot.

Don’t pitch the eggs. Put them in water and toss the floaters. The others should be fine.

 

[sourland]

Sounds as if she has gone broody. Many hens imprint on the nest site more than the eggs. She may continue setting, and you may have to cage her until her broodiness breaks.

 

[AnimalChick329]

If she ran back to the nest, she may be broody. Put 3-4 eggs back under her so she stays put. Wait for nightfall. If she’s still on them, she’s broody. You will want to break her of that.

To get them to lay in the boxes, lock them up with no parole for a week. They will be forced to find a ‘new’ safe spot to lay, and will keep returning to that spot.

Don’t pitch the eggs. Put them in water and toss the floaters. The others should be fine.

Thank you! I just tested all the eggs, 6 were perfectly fresh (lay flat on the bottom of the bowl of water) 6 slightly raised on the big end and 4 stood on the end but didn't float... I'm going to mark those and then put them in the nest boxes and lock her up.

 

[AnimalChick329]

Sounds as if she has gone broody. Many hens imprint on the nest site more than the eggs. She may continue setting, and you may have to cage her until her broodiness breaks.

I'm in Az so I try to let them free roam but they have a nice airy coop so I'm going to keep her locked up for a few days or maybe a week and see if she starts laying in the nesting boxes. I'm putting 4 of the not very fresh eggs in there that I marked so I know which ones to leave and maybe she will get over it. Thanks for your advice!

 

[sourland]

If she is really broody, she may stop laying for a period of time.

 

[MarkJr]

If she is really broody, she may stop laying for a period of time.

For sure. 3-4 days broody takes mine 2-3 weeks to start again.

See if she goes to roost or stays on nest after dark. If she stays on nest after dark, break her of being broody. It’s hard on a chicken to set for weeks for nothing.

Then focus on getting them setting in the right spot

 

[aart]

To get them to lay in the boxes, lock them up with no parole for a week. They will be forced to find a ‘new’ safe spot to lay, and will keep returning to that spot.

Yes!
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Don’t pitch the eggs. Put them in water and toss the floaters. The others should be fine.

Noooo!
Floating an egg will only tell you how old it might be.
They float due to evaporation when older.
It will not tell you if an egg is 'good' or 'bad'.
Plus then you've wetted the egg so it should be thoroughly washed and refrigerated.

When in doubt....
Open eggs one at a time in a separate dish before adding to pan or recipe,
use your eyes, nose, and common sense to decide if egg is OK to eat.