Australorp laying outside

[petercriddell]

I've got three australorps that started laying recently. One of them is laying outside instead of their nesting box. The other two don't seem to have a problem. I thought the coop was too hot (I'm in AZ) so I put a shade over the coop, but she's still laying outside. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

 

[CMV]

Try golf balls or fake eggs in the nesting box to show her where she's supposed to be laying. I have one that refuses to lay in her nesting boxes. She has a very hard-to-find nest in the woods and has been using it for years. I let her use it because when I try to stop her she hides eggs in different spots. It's a pain, but at least I know where to look if I let her use her chosen spot.

Good luck.