Confusion in the coop . . . why are they doing this?

[chicknjane]

So this past week I have a BO hen go broody. So I collected a few eggs and Thusday night picked her up out of the nesting box and put her in a kennel with her next of eggs. The box she was setting is is the absolute favorite of all the hens and she wasn't moving and everyone was just laying their right on top of her.

The next day, I expected that all the chickens would go back to laying in their favorite nexting box. Wrong! Now they are laying eggs willy-nilly where ever they want. They will no go into the once coveted box. A few have moved down to a section of boxes that no one ever used, but most of them are just laying right there on the floor of the coop.

Its like they are afraid they'll disappear if they go in the next box.
Has anyone ever had this happen and if so, how long to correct it and what if anything should I do?

I have two weeks to get it straightened out because I'm leaving for vacation, and would hate to have the chicken sister climbing into the coop hunting for eggs everyday.

Thanks,
Marcy

 

[bigstack]

You might try putting a false egg or golf ball in the box. I am new but this sounds like it might help them relocate the fav. box. Maybe they are just not sure since she is gone.

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[Imp]

Try putting some fake eggs in the boxes.

Imp- Chickens are afraid of change.

 

[cap1717]

My girls tend to "switch" favorite nesting spots, occasionally, once one has started laying in a new place, they all lay there! very wierd. Must be the chicken version of "monkey see / monkey do"