Chicken's laying in corner of coop - not nesting box

[spiritpots]

I have three chickens, which I've had for about a year now and they have always laid in one of two nesting boxes. They always lay in just one box, never laid in the other box. All three generally lay every day so after hearing a lot of squawking today from my brown leghorn I went to check for an egg but didn't find any in the nesting box. On a whim I looked around the coop and found that all three had laid in a corner of the coop in some straw that I still have in there from winter. Since this is will be my first spring with chickens I'm wondering if their laying behavior may change at this time of the year as if they are trying to get a clutch of eggs to sit on. Has anyone else had this come up?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I deal with this every year. Some hen gets in her head a floor nest is the greatest idea and all the other hens follow suit. I will generally put something on their chosen nest site like a log, brick, or bucket with the hopes they will return to the boxes. Sometimes it works, sometimes they pick another bad spot. Keeps you busy.

 

[Alaskan]

A golf ball or other fake egg placed in the nest that you want them to use might help talk them back to the nests.

Because yes, if they are thinking of going broody they can get a bit testy that you keep taking the eggs.

 

[spiritpots]

A golf ball or other fake egg placed in the nest that you want them to use might help talk them back to the nests.

Because yes, if they are thinking of going broody they can get a bit testy that you keep taking the eggs.

That explains why my maran didn't want me taking the eggs. She's probably the one behind this!

 

[Alaskan]

Marans do like to go broody.