not laying in nest boxes

[RethaT]

I too have a chicken that lays outside more than in the nesting box. I'm new to raising chickens I've had my chickens five weeks now. A good friend gave me five chickens, two of which are a year and a half and are laying on a regular basis, the one that is laying outside is a-year-old she is a good layer but I would say eight out of 10 eggs are laid outside and of course then they are broken and the chickens eat them. She has even laid the egg in the run to feed away from the opening to go in the coop .We do keep the coop open all day, and have fake eggs in the boxes . yesterday I saw her run and get in the coop and she came out and announced that she was all done and I went out and she laid a beautiful egg. I went outside a few minutes ago and there was one on the ground broken and eaten. We had a temporary run up until yesterday ( they would fly out) my husband has been building a new permanent run around it so we are going to plan on keeping them in the run more, they are outside all day. But the other three who are laying go in the nesting box and I have one that is should be laying at anytime now. Hope she doesn't pick up her bad habit! Sometimes I think she's lazy and just doesn't want to go in the nesting box !

 

[lazy gardener]

Nice set up.

 

[Stualy]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I bought some ceramic eggs. Giving that a try. I can paint them as well.

 

[Izzychicky]

My pullets just started laying but the nesting boxes aren't ready so they have been laying in the corners but then they are laying everywhere in the yard its like an Easter egg hunt (literally i have an EE)