laying eggs on ground

mine too. I think in my case this happens when somebody is in their favorite nesting box. I have plenty of nesting boxes, but all 8 hens will lay their eggs in 0ne of two boxes.

I, also, think this could be happening because of the heat. The ground is cooler than the nesting boxes in the middle of the afternoon. I have seen some of my hens sitting on the nest and panting because of the heat. It has been over 100 F a few days recently. I think a few hens say "Oh No" to the heat and find a nice cool pile of dirt to lay their egg on instead.

 

My RIRs did this for a while. I would get mad cause they would lay in the mud and all over the run. Luckly all eggs have been in the boxes for the past two months. But I think it's like math ace said it might be bc another hen is in their favorite box or they are getting picked on an run out of a box. I had a younger hen that I had to set there while she was in the box or her mom would grab her by the neck and throw her out.