Hen laying outside of coop.

[President Bartlet]

Our hens mostly lay inside, however we regularly find eggs that have been laid outside (never the same place twice). We have four hens in a large run. I think only one of them is laying outside (the outside eggs all look similar).

Has anyone got any tips to encourage inside laying, or can anyone shed any light on why a hen would want to lay outside in the cold and damp when there's a lovely clean warm area to lay in?

[oldjerry]

Are these ex batts? Common prob as they've never had a proper nest under their bum.Try and catch the reprobate in the act then move her to the nest box .Alternatively,spray her with a bit of marker then keep that one in the house every day till she's laid.-that way she should get the hang of things.-Best Wishes.

[mockturtle]

Hi, Not been here for a while but i need some help please. Last summer My poor hens where infested with red might after a big battle which included removing the coop roof i have rid of them. But my chooks still have big gaps in their feathers. Poor Maralin's underside is very red and Nude? any suggestions?

[oldjerry]

I appreciate that you've gone to great lengths,are you absolutely sure you're rid? They can live for months away from chickens.For me ,Iwould jet wash the house(preferably with a steamer) take the felt off and steam underneath.Maybe you've done all this..
Some vets will treat the chicken with ivomec(if she's still infected),there are loads of 'alternative ' remedies,I('ve never tried them.)If you can get some good old fashioned creosote(not the new fake crap),try some ag. supplies,then work it well into the inside and outside of the house.(obviously let it dry and de-smell before you put the birds back).Finally,give the birds a dust bath,and change it's contents regularly. Best Wishes.

[mockturtle]

I have taken all the felt off the roof and it was riidled with them so have covered it with a tarp untill spring , jet washed steamed and sprayed with an insecticide weekly which finaly did the job.99% certain thet have gone. But she is still red and bare? not sure what else to do now. Maybe I wil continue the scrubbing and spraying a bit more

[oldjerry]

Ask about locally if there's a vet who's good with poultry,they won't all be.It wont cost a bundle if you take her yourself,and he may have some good ideas/cure for you. Best Wishes.

[President Bartlet]

Thanks oldjerry for your ideas. They are all laying inside the coop now and today all of them laid -they only came into lay last month, and we get between 1 and 3 eggs but today 4 - 100%

It was very sunny here today- can that make the difference?

[oldjerry]

I didn't realise that they were pullets.They often lay outside at first,as they havent figured out how much nicer it is with your bum on straw.I'm sure hens appreciate a bit of sun in the depths of a British winter( just like I bloody would......please..)