[Elcie]

Hi everyone, as you have all probably read, I am currently in the process of building a new chicken run at the allotment.  My two girls at home will join some new hens over there in a few weeks time.  My query is regarding their egg laying.  Daisy and Nugget currently lay their eggs under a bush in the back garden.  They have done this ever since we let them free range all day around the garden.  Prior to this they used to lay their eggs in the Eglu nest box.

My question is this - at the allotment they will have a shed converted to a chicken coup with nest boxes and a run that currently has some grass but no bushes.  Should I plant a bush in the run to keep them happy or encourage them to lay in the nest boxes by putting some fake leaves in there or so twigs from their favourite bush?  Oh what a dilema!

[joyfull]

I would put a couple of fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes so that they are encouraged to go back to laying in the proper place. 

[Elcie]

I would put a couple of fake eggs or golf balls in the nest boxes so that they are encouraged to go back to laying in the proper place. 

Thanks Joyfull, you always answer my questions!  It is actually amazing as these are hens who have never lived 'in the wild' but as soon as they were given the opportunity to free range they lay their eggs in the bush.  It isn't a massive problem at home as the bush is nearer to the back door than the nest box, but I was worried what they will do when they go to their new house!  I will let you know!

[joyfull]

good luck with it and I hope it works for you