Whats up with this action?

[haddiemoo]

My hens have moved out of their nesting boxes and made little nests in the pine shavings and started laying their eggs there. Also, this weekend I let the hens out and when I went to check on them that night one was missing. I was worried and thought a hawk, dog, bobcat, etc had gotten her. Later that night about 10pm I went to check in the trees with a flashlight to see if she had gotten scared and made it to a tree. No luck, so as I was going back in I spotted something red that looked like a chicken comb in the dog house (dogs are gone) an sure enough there was Ms. Hen.

Now what is going on with these hens? I have had them now for about 9 months and I am wondering if they are like kids and don't like the old home anymore and are ready to move out and get their own place???? (Their egg laying is great no complaints there)

 

[Judy]

Sounds like there is something they don't like about their coop. Could be any number of things. Too dark? Snake or something living in there? Not enough fresh air? Just a few....

 

[carrlr]

Is it possibly too dark inside their coop when they go into roost? Some chickens will not go in side a dark area, especially if they are not familiar with it.

 

[columbiacritter]

It's broody time. They are looking to nest someplace you won't come to steal their eggs. Lots of chickens will go broody in a normal nest box, but many will try and find a hidden place like an unused doghouse. Look around for stashes of eggs. I found 2 dozen eggs and a missing hen under an old truck canopy once.

 

[sourland]

Check the coop and nest boxes for red mites.