freelance nesters and egg discoveries

[Soapbox]

Hi poultry people - looking for ideas and didn't see this question posted earlier: I have a wonderful flock of mixed variety young hens that have just come into laying (barred rock, ameracauna, sl wyn., gl wyn, cochin and rodie). They free range around the property during the day and the Roo herds them into the coop at dusk. Some of the hens lay their eggs in the coop but others prefer to find their own secret nesting spots outside. They are happy, healthy birds so I put up with it and check all the locations that I know of. There are at least birds contributing to a nest in the hay stack of my loafing shed. But occasionally I happen upon a cache of eggs and have no idea which hen is using that spot or how long they've been there. I'm pretty diligent about keeping the coup clean and conducive to nesting.

Any advice on ways to get them all to use the coop. Will this occur naturally as winter approaches? And most importantly - Do you think I can use the eggs? If I do the math, the most recent pile of 12 that I discovered would likely be anywhere from 4 to 12 days old, depending upon how many of the hens were contributing to that particular nest. We've had consistently cool weather (60's during the day and 40's at night) So I'm betting that spoilage/fertilization is unlikely. But how can I be sure, apart from one crack at a time, into a separate dish?

[Evy]

Shutting them in until later in the morning may encourage laying in the coop. Can you add a few more nest boxes & remove tempting hay piles & hiding places?
Chances are the clutch you found is okay, given the temperatures, but cracking them into a separate bowl is always a good idea.

[Soapbox]

Sounds like maybe I should add some dividers into the coop area. Right now its just a 6 foot long shelf filled with hay. The hens make their own nests but they are not separated by walls. Never seemed to be an issue with other flocks, but perhaps because there are so many breeds in this group, they need more individual space. Maybe if I add some plywood dividers, they will feel more safe and secluded in there. I'll experiment with the letting them out later idea too. Thanks!

[Dondoyle26]

If you are unsure of the age of the egg... You can always drop it in a glass of water if it floats the egg is old. The longer an egg is exposed to the air the more air it absorbs.. Thus causing it to float. Eggs are usually good for a long time anyway before they go rotten. Just try the water thing it may help ya out in the long run. I would still crack them in a seperate bowl just in case :) Another suggestion being your birds are free range I would get a golf ball or a wooden egg to keep them from moving the nest on you. After a while they may move the nest on you maybe not. Some hens can be stubborn. I quit letting my chickens free range after loosing so many to dogs hawks etc etc. I was just wasting my money. Which I was trying to save by having chickens. Current feed prices excluded in the previous statement. But anyway-I would bet you have several using the same nest though even if in the hay. Also have you considered using milk crates for nest(you could probally get them from any local store that sells gallon milk)? You can fit alot of milk crates along a wall. Just make sure they are 2 to 3 feet off the ground or heck you may try to put one or two on the ground. Thats what we use and the chickens use them but like i said they have no choice now. Good Luck

[greg rountree]

When you find a nest that the hen has hidden--remove all the eggs--this will make her think a predator has gotten her eggs and she will seek another nest site--hopefully where you want her to lay. Letting them out later in the day will help as most of them that are in good lay will do so before noon. Placing eggs in the pan of water is right! if they float or stand up like they are going to float they are not good for eating 8) Greg

[Michelle K.]

Sorry, just saw this post.

Another good idea for cheap nest boxes is empty cat litter pails. I buy the Tidy Cat litter and it has a hinged lip on it where the lid swings open and closed. I take the lid off, leaving the little lip part and then you can secure them to the wall of the coop. The lip on the pail keeps nesting material and eggs in the nest. I works pretty good. If you don't have cats, ask around with people you know, they might, or if you have a local animal shelter, ask them to save you the pails.

Good luck, I have had many chickens laying clandestant nest in our hayloft in the past. Mostly the white leghorns. Nothing like finding a rotten pile of eggs on a hot summers day!!

Michelle