Hens laying in front of nesting box?

[daniel-delarosa]

Every now and then a few of my hens lay an egg in front of the nesting box. The boxes are 12" deep by 12" tall and 24" long so I know they are big enough. Sometimes the straw is all kicked out and they lay on bare wood. Could it be cause they dont like the straw that I put in there for bedding?

 

[countrygirl4513]

Mine do the same thing. Alot of times they do it when the boxes are full of other ladies. Mine pushed all the straw out of the boxes. But I built them a good laying box and the ding dongs are laying underneath them instead of in them. Now I have broodies squeezed in underneath the laying boxes. They seem to like it better under there. So I just let it be. I can't figure what it is they don't like about the laying boxes either.