I have one laying hen (I hope the others start in a week or two!) She's laid every morning for three days. The first morning she laid in a bare nestbox. It was bare because they would get in it as pullets and kick all the straw out. I did not expect them to start laying yet (17wks) so I hadn't added any new material in. The second morning I added some fresh straw and left the middle sort of bare for her. Today I went out and she had went in to EVERY nestbox and kicked all the bedding out...then made a nest over in the corner of the coop floor with said material and laid in that little nest.
Should I try pine shavings instead? Small towels? Yesterday when she laid on the totally bare floor there was a small crack on the end where it landed. I had to cook it right away so it did not spoil. I want something there to sort of catch the egg. What should I try?

Should I try pine shavings instead? Small towels? Yesterday when she laid on the totally bare floor there was a small crack on the end where it landed. I had to cook it right away so it did not spoil. I want something there to sort of catch the egg. What should I try?