Why are my hens throwing the eggs out nest?

[Chickadee-23]

For the past couple of days i would find some nesting material and 1-2 eggs busted on bottom of coop floor and it must be one of them doing it, but i cant figure out who or why? Could it be the nesting material i use pine shavings? Btw they are 24 weeks old they just started to lay theres 5 but i think only 3 is laying cause only 3 eggs a day right now, Hopefully someone knows what i can do!! Thanks

 

[PrairieChickens]

I suspect it's the unfortunate side-effect of an overzealous desire to have a neat and tidy nest to lay in. Either that, or a hen is hanging her bum over the side of the nesting box to lay instead of laying -in- the nest (which has happened a time or two here as well.) The presence of nesting material with the broken eggs suggests the first reason. You can try a different nesting material--we use straw or grass clippings--or a deeper nesting box to make it harder for hens to accidentally knock eggs out.

 

[nab58]

I would put something soft under where the eggs land so you have a better chance of the egg not breaking.