Laying in the hay bales

[Aroundtuit]

Hello all, fairly new to chickens. My 3 hens have decided to change from laying in their nest boxes in the coop to a nice hollowed out spot in between the hay bales in the barn (bales are on skids on the barn floor). 3 hens, all lined up in the morning, waiting their turn. It looks like the line for the ladies public bathroom! . How do I get them to start laying in their nest boxes again?

 

[Aroundtuit]

Hello all, fairly new to chickens. My 3 hens have decided to change from laying in their nest boxes in the coop to a nice hollowed out spot in between the hay bales in the barn (bales are on skids on the barn floor). 3 hens, all lined up in the morning, waiting their turn. It looks like the line for the ladies public bathroom! . How do I get them to start laying in their nest boxes again?

Oh, and NOTHING has changed. Coop is clean, they are closed in at night, etc

 

[sealer39]

Put something on the new nest like a concrete block so they can’t lay there. You can also add some fake eggs or golf balls to their nest boxes to encourage them to return.

 

[Folly's place]

Also keep them in their coop and run at least until later in the afternoon for a week minimum. Mine like to find good spots in the barn too, and it's really annoying!
If you block this location, they will find another, so be alert and look often in corners of the barn.
Mary