Hen laying eggs in burn barrel!! What's up with that?!

[MrsMcnugget]

My adopted stray hen, Mrs. Mcnugget, has been a faithful layer since she began laying for me at the end of August. She started laying in the nest we put in the cat carrier she slept in, and when her coop came she laid in the nest box first time, she's very clever.

We got another chicken for her to pal around with a couple weeks ago and the new girl, Gingerbread, began laying on Wednesday this week. Mrs Mcnugget laid that day right after, she's a 'one upper'. For the next three days Mrs decided she didn't want to lay in the box.

I thought maybe because it was pretty hot in Maryland and she didn't want to be in the coop. But this morning would make three days with no egg, so I was getting pretty worried. She has also been disappearing after breakfast and that's not like her lately.

We found out today where she's been hanging out...the burn barrel behind the garden shed, on the other side of the yard. She was just laying in there, and I was getting worried some more because she's being a weirdo. Then she stood up to talk to me and hopped up on the edge of the barrel. That's when I saw three beautiful, jumbo size Mrs. Mcnugget eggs sitting in a little clump on top of the pine flakes that comes out of the coop when I clean in the morning.

I'm glad that she's still laying fine, but worried that she's decided to stop using the nest box. Any ideas and input as to why she decided to do this and how to correct it are greatly appreciated.

Also, I don't know how old she is, if that would or could have any bearing on this behavior.

Thank you!

 

[sourland]

Apparently she got tired of 'that person' (you) taking her eggs. You did say that she is 'very clever'.

 

[SeaPolka]

My adopted stray hen, Mrs. Mcnugget, has been a faithful layer since she began laying for me at the end of August. She started laying in the nest we put in the cat carrier she slept in, and when her coop came she laid in the nest box first time, she's very clever.

We got another chicken for her to pal around with a couple weeks ago and the new girl, Gingerbread, began laying on Wednesday this week. Mrs Mcnugget laid that day right after, she's a 'one upper'. For the next three days Mrs decided she didn't want to lay in the box.

I thought maybe because it was pretty hot in Maryland and she didn't want to be in the coop. But this morning would make three days with no egg, so I was getting pretty worried. She has also been disappearing after breakfast and that's not like her lately.

We found out today where she's been hanging out...the burn barrel behind the garden shed, on the other side of the yard. She was just laying in there, and I was getting worried some more because she's being a weirdo. Then she stood up to talk to me and hopped up on the edge of the barrel. That's when I saw three beautiful, jumbo size Mrs. Mcnugget eggs sitting in a little clump on top of the pine flakes that comes out of the coop when I clean in the morning.
View attachment 1149766

I'm glad that she's still laying fine, but worried that she's decided to stop using the nest box. Any ideas and input as to why she decided to do this and how to correct it are greatly appreciated.
View attachment 1149765

Also, I don't know how old she is, if that would or could have any bearing on this behavior.

Thank you!

View attachment 1149764

It's normal for hens to lay wherever they feel is safe. You could lock her in the coop until she lays her egg. She could even be building a clutch up to sit on! I had a hen who's eggs we couldn't find, and she kept disappearing all day and night, so I followed her when she waddled off after something to eat and found her secret broody nest of twenty eggs, they're truly profound creatures sometimes

 

[MrsMcnugget]

It's normal for hens to lay wherever they feel is safe. You could lock her in the coop until she lays her egg. She could even be building a clutch up to sit on! I had a hen who's eggs we couldn't find, and she kept disappearing all day and night, so I followed her when she waddled off after something to eat and found her secret broody nest of twenty eggs, they're truly profound creatures sometimes

Oh my! Hahaha! I hope that's not what she's doing! Goodness... So, I meant to post this yesterday, so today is day four and we found another egg in the barrel. But I've had a revelation just now! Mrs. Mcnugget was hanging out with me the other day and my old indoor/outdoor cat came over to get some attention and saw Mcnugget, then for whatever reason he jumped into her coop and laid down in her nest... I jumped up and chased him off and didn't think about it. They both usually just walk around the yard and don't bother with each other.

Unfortunately the coop isn't in the run yet because we just got it functional and secure today, the run that is. So, we've kept the small coop on our patio next to the house until we get completed. Maybe once we have everything safe and locked up, predator and fat cat proof, she'll lay in the coop again.

Boy, I feel like a jerk! Lol Poor Mcnugget! I've seen my cat in there before, but that was the first time Mrs. Mcnugget has seen him in there. Hopefully she'll get used to being kept in a run and not fuss. She's been a stray, wandering chicken before she came to me.

 

[SeaPolka]

Oh my! Hahaha! I hope that's not what she's doing! Goodness... So, I meant to post this yesterday, so today is day four and we found another egg in the barrel. But I've had a revelation just now! Mrs. Mcnugget was hanging out with me the other day and my old indoor/outdoor cat came over to get some attention and saw Mcnugget, then for whatever reason he jumped into her coop and laid down in her nest... I jumped up and chased him off and didn't think about it. They both usually just walk around the yard and don't bother with each other.

Unfortunately the coop isn't in the run yet because we just got it functional and secure today, the run that is. So, we've kept the small coop on our patio next to the house until we get completed. Maybe once we have everything safe and locked up, predator and fat cat proof, she'll lay in the coop again.

Boy, I feel like a jerk! Lol Poor Mcnugget! I've seen my cat in there before, but that was the first time Mrs. Mcnugget has seen him in there. Hopefully she'll get used to being kept in a run and not fuss. She's been a stray, wandering chicken before she came to me.

Aw, the cat has mistaken his identity! Yes once you it get everything sorted she will go back to normal. Glad to hear you gave her a home

 

[lazy gardener]

Glad the burn barrel wasn't hot, or you'd have baked eggs and BBQ chicken! Sounds like you've solved your mystery. Fat cat syndrome.

 

[MrsMcnugget]

Aw, the cat has mistaken his identity! Yes once you it get everything sorted she will go back to normal. Glad to hear you gave her a home

Haha! I know! He is confused! I'm glad to hear she'll go back to laying in the coop. Thank you! I was getting worried ☺ I do love my Mrs.

 

[MrsMcnugget]

Glad the burn barrel wasn't hot, or you'd have baked eggs and BBQ chicken! Sounds like you've solved your mystery. Fat cat syndrome.

Hahah!! Oh that would be so awful! Thank goodness we need a new barrel otherwise we may have done some burning this weekend... That's it, 'Fat Cat Syndrome'! That cat would have gotten in the barrel too if he'd gotten the chance. He's very jealous of Mrs. Mcnugget, especially since she's taken his napping spot on the patio table right in front of where I sit and drink my coffee. So, it's like two spoiled children vying for mom's attention with those two, sometimes.