How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: How to manage free range egg laying in odd places?

Allen I wouldn't worry about the hen food wise. She's getting bugs and all kinds of stuff that she's eating. I'd just make sure water is available for her to drink at her free will.
My nanny let her hens lose in her fenced in yard and she'd have to hunting for eggs, but for her she didn't have to crawl under a porch to look only thing they could lay under was bushes and trees or in the middle of the yard.
For a temporary coop I'd do like one said get a bucket and make a hole big enough for the hen, with straw and a fake egg she so knows it ok to lay in there, and hopefully she'll start laying in there, atleast until you build a run for her.

Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers. --J. Sidlow Baxter

----- Original Message -----
From: allen_moretsky
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 11:14 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: How to manage free range egg laying in odd places?

Thanks, Diana.
This is my first chicken. I'm sorry I didn't get one ages ago. It's so nice to be out with her. She's really personable. My 3 year old is funny with her. He picks her up and carries her around and she's about as big as he is. She seems to like hanging about with us. But you are right, she loves to scratch up the yard. I hear it's good for the earth and plants, but really she covers so much territory.

I'm afraid I'll have to crawl under the porch. I've a feeling she's laying them there.

I hate cooping her up. Only at night. I haven't yet built a run so not so much choice unless I want to tie her to the tree swing again.

I was wondering if people build a temporary nesting site for free roaming chickens. I also wonder about the feed and water during the day. I don't think she goes back to the coop to eat although the door to food and water remains open when during the day. Is she getting enough nutrition from the yard? My yard is pretty much scrub with lots of pine tree droppings and some wild areas full of dense undergrowth.

Allen