Hens laying outside- help!

[dw123]

A bit of a strange one- we recently invested in a replacement flock of 250 POL hens, when they first arrived I thought they weren't quite there with laying yet, but it turns out they're laying fine but in all the wrong places!

They're on about an acre of quite thick vegetation, and they've taken to laying in a few really inaccessible spots, we've been removing the eggs as best as possible but its like needles in a haystack. Laying boxes are all kept clean and we've even shut them in for a few days to try and re-establish it as a laying spot but none of it seems to be working- any ideas?

 

[Lincs Lass]

Did you shut them in on arrival or after they had been laying outside.

 

[Princess Pooper]

A bit of a strange one- we recently invested in a replacement flock of 250 POL hens, when they first arrived I thought they weren't quite there with laying yet, but it turns out they're laying fine but in all the wrong places!

They're on about an acre of quite thick vegetation, and they've taken to laying in a few really inaccessible spots, we've been removing the eggs as best as possible but its like needles in a haystack. Laying boxes are all kept clean and we've even shut them in for a few days to try and re-establish it as a laying spot but none of it seems to be working- any ideas?

Is it nice and dark in your laying boxes? They like it dark - so strimming at least some of your vegetation would hopefully reduce the area they lay in. Could you pop a temporary electric fence up to reduce the area to try and encourage them back into the laying boxes? Let them out later?

 

[britt]

Keep them shut in until lunch time

 

[Dry Rot]

When you find the nests, pick up the eggs (obviously!) and do your best to destroy the nest. A lot of birds find the best nesting places from experience. As above, also maybe put a couple of eggs (china/plastic?) in your nest boxes to show that other hens are using them and are apparently successful. Maybe they'll take the hint!

 

[Lincs Lass]

experience.

Shouldn't that be, Eggsperience

 

[Dry Rot]

Shouldn't that be, Eggperince

Are you yoking?

 

[Grassman]

Keep them shut in until lunch time

As above. If you cant then put up some electric nets so they can't go to their favourite nests

 

[britt]

When you find the nests, pick up the eggs (obviously!) and do your best to destroy the nest. A lot of birds find the best nesting places from experience. As above, also maybe put a couple of eggs (china/plastic?) in your nest boxes to show that other hens are using them and are apparently successful. Maybe they'll take the hint!

Golf balls are as good as pot eggs