If this is normal what is the hay for??! (pix)

Yep.no matter what I do.they lay eggs on bare spot...weird I thought

 

hmm. That's cool. My nest boxes are deeper though, and ergo have more hay, so they don't do that.

 

I have about 4 or more inches of pine shavings on top of a very thin layer of straw or hay. When bedding is thin I have had hens do that in the past. I just make sure there is plenty of bedding.

 

Mine do that too, just that I have about 6 inches of highly packed material so they don't reach the dirt. *floor boxes

 

be thankful they use the bloody nesting boxes at all! I spent a whole weekend making mine and none of the girls use it...they just lay on the floor in the corner of the coop.

 

Quote:Isnt it frustrating Aran. all of mine freerange except the banties...........and only one of them is laying..........my bigger flock never did lay in the boxes.always when out and about or on floor of hen house !

 

might want to put some wood shavings in they would be harder to kick out, mine make the bowl shape, box is deep enough that they dont hit wood

 

I use wood shavings and they do the exact same thing, they keep digging till they have it all piled up on the sides.

 

Mine do the exact same thing. I watched one today and she kept turning and moving the straw with her mouth. It turned out exactly like your picture.