Chickens laying random eggs in the middle of the yard

[aart]

Today I went out and found eggshells throughout her nest and another egg just laying there?!

Hard to say what broke/ate the egg.

They are free range and are only locked up occasiinally, I know one hen was an egg eater but she had stopped that years ago.
We are located in Australia so it's summer here, they are 5-7 years old.
Thanks!

If your birds are totally free range, not even sleeping in coop, then these things are gonna happen....you'll lose eggs and birds.
Were the other birds laying in the coop before the broody and her chicks took up residence there?