Eggs not in nest?

[lmadeline146]

For months, all of my hens have been laying eggs in their nesting boxes as normal. I go down to check on them a few minutes ago and one egg is in the run in the snow( which hasn’t happened in forever), one egg is just a yolk in the middle of the coop with no shell, 4 were all laid in a nest UNDER the nesting boxes, and 2 were actually laid in the coop. Could the recent cold weather affect this?? Im confused.

 

[nuthatched]

How many hens to boxes? I'm wondering of you have something moving them

 

[lmadeline146]

How many hens to boxes? I'm wondering of you have something moving them

We have 9 hens and 5 boxes, usually they all lay in the same 1-2 boxes.

 

[nuthatched]

We have 9 hens and 5 boxes, usually they all lay in the same 1-2 boxes.

That's a good number. Are the eggs under the coop in a depression or just scattered? some hens like privacy or they need to lay now and there's no room currently in the boxes.

 

[lmadeline146]

That's a good number. Are the eggs under the coop in a depression or just scattered? some hens like privacy or they need to lay now and there's no room currently in the boxes.

there were 4 together that were in the coop on the ground area and then 1 outside just in the snow and a yolk in the middle of the coop, they also have enclosed boxes (besides the entry) for privacy.

 

[sourland]

Any possibility a predator is accessing the coop and messing with the eggs and birds?

 

[nuthatched]

there were 4 together that were in the coop on the ground area and then 1 outside just in the snow and a yolk in the middle of the coop, they also have enclosed boxes (besides the entry) for privacy.

I'm stumped about the yolk, if they or something is eating eggs, that's usually the first to go, and the shell is left. I'd put up a camera, personaly.
I think, very rarely, an 'oops' yolk only gets laid.
You can add another nest box and see if it gets used and the eggs under the coop stop.

 

[lmadeline146]

Any possibility a predator is accessing the coop and messing with the eggs and birds?

I don’t think so, the only thing I’ve noticed are coyote footprints nearby, but nothing near the coop looks disturbed.

 

[Happy hen lover]

For months, all of my hens have been laying eggs in their nesting boxes as normal. I go down to check on them a few minutes ago and one egg is in the run in the snow( which hasn’t happened in forever), one egg is just a yolk in the middle of the coop with no shell, 4 were all laid in a nest UNDER the nesting boxes, and 2 were actually laid in the coop. Could the recent cold weather affect this?? Im confused.

Mine were pretty regular in fall but they're random now. They've picked a spot under poop board in bedding and sometimes a random one slips out while waiting for the " perfect " spot to lay. Then next day they all lay in a box!!! They make you crazy for sure. If anyone is molting you can get some funky eggs.