Stopped using nest box and now laying under house

[Kiwi Chicky]

My hens have free range on the farm, with a good sized coop with nice nesting boxes of which they have all used as I've seen 5 eggs in there on one day.

But it seems that one or two of them are disappearing under the house to lay.

Do they like it better? Or are they hiding a clutch?

Should I board up the gaps so they can't get under?

 

[ging3rhoffman]

They are laying where it is cooler.

 

[Kiwi Chicky]

I thought that but it's not hot here, we're just coming into spring so the weathers more raining than sunny.

Could they be hiding from the wind?

 

[Kiwi Chicky]

They're gonna be ticked at me!!

I removed one of the boards by where they've been laying and removed all the eggs - There were 6.

I think I'll get hubby to board up the holes so they can't get back under

 

[ScoobyRoo]

If you have a cat carrier, stuff some straw in there and put that in the coop. They may move back in there for you. Ever since I had one in my coop for an injured chicken they all fought to get in there and lay. I like it because the eggs don't get kicked out. I have 20 laying hens and they all lay in one of two places.

the cat carrier or the rabbit hutch converted into apartments for little chicks. Dont ask about that one