Chickens playing games

[Mysticfishtales]

My leghorn girls are about 18 weeks and I am impatiently waiting for my first egg. I put a golf ball in the boxes to encourage them to lay there.
I cleaned out the house yesterday and replaced the ball. Promptly, one of the little turds when in the house, kicked out the ball and did not even leave an egg.
Has anyone else had their fake eggs removed by hens?

 

[iwiw60]

Your hens are "on the verge" of laying age. While it is possible they will begin laying at 18-20 weeks, some hens don't get it in gear til later than that. Have you noticed if any of your girls are doing the "submissive squat" ? If you gently place your hand on the top of their back and they 'squat' that is a sure sign they'll lay any time now. It's just a wait-n-see game....silly chickens!!