What happened to the eggs?

[bloom chicks]

Today I had 2 of my hens in there nesting box " I thought they were laying an egg" I went to go get them and there were no eggs. One was my EE (my only EE) and a BO. What do you think that could be about? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dainerra]

sometimes if you disturb them, they will just leave the nest without laying. Or maybe one of them was having a "false alarm" or was just in there because she saw the other bird go in.

It happens a lot That's why I try not to check the eggs until evening. Had too many times where the birds will leave the nest if you disturb them.

 

[Jajika]

Yeah:

Even if you don't disturb them, sometimes the chickens just have a "false alarm."

I've seen this often. And sometimes something distracts them.

If they are going to lay, they will lay.

 

[tamberlin]

Ours are just getting done with molting and starting to get into "that laying mood" again. I see some of them going inside the coop and going through all the motions, but not back to laying all the way yet.

 

[bloom chicks]

Thanks for the responses. It it just weird. My EE hasn't layed now for 2 days. Which isn't like her at all. She lays for 3 days then off one then lays for 3 days so I don't know what is going on. I have noticed that my flock seems very skittish lately. We have had 3 hawks just hanging out around my yard. There seems to be alot more of them this year.

Could that be why they aren't laying as well? Also, I have had a neighbor's turkey that insists on hanging out with my flock.

 

[Chemguy]

Hawks begin to pair up at this time of year, so they're more visible while they're "on show." Once they pair up they'll be less visible and more spread out.

 

[bloom chicks]

Are they hanging out because they smell the eggs developing under my 2nd broody? I noticed that when my 5 week old chicks were about to hatch. My rooster and a hawk went at it on the day the chicks were born.

 

[Chemguy]

Are they hanging out because they smell the eggs developing under my 2nd broody? I noticed that when my 5 week old chicks were about to hatch. My rooster and a hawk went at it on the day the chicks were born.

I don't think so. Hawks are visual hunters primarily, followed by auditory. Of course, there might be some visual (or auditory) cue related to what you describe.