hen laying outside of nesting boxes.

[abhaya]

I have a RIR that was on the property when I moved here. she was basically on her own for over a year from what i can tell. She is probably 4 to 5 years old. She lays an egg every day sometimes 2 but she has a little space in the coop in a corner behind an old board that is leaned up against the wall. When I first found her she was in that corner sitting on 16 eggs there is no rooster around so I took her eggs she started laying regular the next day. I have put in nesting boxes pathched the leaky roof added some chickens. SHOULD i take away her hidey hole or not. The board got moved a little and she couldnt get in she did not go to the nesting boxes she layed her eggs in a tool box in the barn.

 

[Judy]

At that age I'd try to reconstruct her old spot.

 

[catdaddy66]

She found a spot to lay after her old one wasn't available. If it's possible keep the old spot but either way she will lay, cause that's what she does! The where is mostly out of habit which chickens are famous for but any small, dark and hidden/protected spot will suffice.