Chickens laying random eggs in the middle of the yard

[LuckyMotherhen]

Hey guys,
I have three hens (6yr,5yr,3yr)
Now one hen recently went broody so we gave her some eggs now she has three chicks. We have them locked in the coop and the others free ranging.
about a week after the chicks hatched the older hens started having irregular egglaying patterns, the eldest started a nest but in three days I never saw an egg there, the other hen started laying eggs well...everywhere!!
Today I went out and found eggshells throughout her nest and another egg just laying there?!
Can anyone help?
I'm worried about my babies.
If you know whats happening please tell me
Thanks in advance
-izzy

 

[ChickenCanoe]

By babies, are you referring to the 3 chicks or the adult hens?
I'm most certain the problem is from having their egg laying habits disrupted with locking them out of the coop. They didn't have access to the nest boxes so they had to lay somewhere. Sometimes it is hard to re-establish the habit of where to lay.

 

[LuckyMotherhen]

By babies, are you referring to the 3 chicks or the adult hens?
I'm most certain the problem is from having their egg laying habits disrupted with locking them out of the coop. They didn't have access to the nest boxes so they had to lay somewhere. Sometimes it is hard to re-establish the habit of where to lay.

That's just it though!
They have never layed or sleep in the coop of their own accord. we've tried locking them up for days sometimes weeks and they were never happy, always pacing up and down. In all they're 5-7 years they have almost always layed out of the coop as free rangers.
So I'm REALLY sort of worried that they might be sick
Can you help
They are both almost elderly (5-7)

 

[LuckyMotherhen]

I also found an egg in a partial nest that had its yolk stolen?

 

[Abriana]

Sounds like maybe egg eaters? I would put some wooden or ceramic eggs, or golf balls in the nesting boxes so that they get discouraged trying to break into them to eat them.

 

[aart]

That's just it though!
They have never layed or sleep in the coop of their own accord. we've tried locking them up for days sometimes weeks and they were never happy, always pacing up and down. In all they're 5-7 years they have almost always layed out of the coop as free rangers.
So I'm REALLY sort of worried that they might be sick
Can you help
They are both almost elderly (5-7)

How long have you had these birds?
Please post pics of coop and run.

...and where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[LuckyMotherhen]

How long have you had these birds?
Please post pics of coop and run.

...and where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1626956

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!

 

[LuckyMotherhen]

My coop has my mother hen anger chicks in it and the run has my two quails

 

[jvls1942]

if the birds are as old as you say, their egg laying days should be about over. so your problem shouldn't be long lasting..

 

[LuckyMotherhen]

Probably not but that's okay we have chicks and a 2yr old hen
Thanks!