New laying hen behavior

[shelbyw]

So my bsl hen is laying eggs and the most recent ones have had either big holes or very small ones in them. She isn't laying in the hay or the nesting boxes. I have noticed that she digs these holes and lays them in there. If I put hay in there she moves it. The problem I think is happening is I think she is accidentally kicking them when she digs or maybe the rooster is pecking the eggs. I would like to also ask how I can get her to lay in the nesting boxes. I have tried to put her in them, but she just kicks the hay out. Anything?

 

[growsaposy]

I have learned this hot summer that the nesting boxes which were fine in spring were way too hot in summer. So the boxes have to be comfortable. Not too hot or too cold. I hope your hen has oyster shell or other source of calcium for egg shell hardiness available all the time. Does she 'hang' with a flock? If so I would block off where she has been laying, and hope she will lay with the others. I use a chalk egg as a reminder that this is where she is supposed to lay. Do they eat or graze together? Is she fearful for some reason? Just ask yourself and your own knowledge of the flock's behavior and what the other hens are doing will help you figure this out.
Good luck, Barb

 

[shelbyw]

I have learned  this hot summer that the nesting boxes which were fine in spring were way too hot in summer. So the boxes have to be  comfortable. Not too hot or too cold. I hope your hen has oyster shell or other source of calcium for egg shell hardiness available all the time. Does she 'hang' with a flock?  If so  I would block off where she has been laying, and hope she will lay with the others. I use a chalk egg as a reminder that this is where she is supposed to lay. Do they eat or graze together? Is she fearful for some reason?  Just ask yourself and your own knowledge of the flock's behavior and what the other hens are doing will help you figure this out.
Good luck, Barb

Hello! My hens have supplements they take that strengthen their eggs, but we recently ran out and we are going to get more in a few days. She does hang out with another hen and a rooster she mostly grazes with the rooster when I let them out, but recently it has been raining, so they haven't been let out for a couple days. What do you recommend I block off the area with? She has never showed fear of anything except for when I go and clean the hay out of the nesting boxes. She will run andhide underneath them(they are hanging nesting boxes). Other than that she is a very funny hen and she loves grazing I am hoping I can let them out today)