Why do my hens keep moving their nests?

[sjarboe]

I have 5 hens, 2 of which started laying about a month ago. They are all free range in the backyard, and I pen them up in their enclosure/coop at night. Neither has ever laid eggs in the nesting boxes, even though I provide clean dry hay. About 3 weeks ago, I discovered my RIR's secret nest along with about 5 eggs. My My RIR is definitely the Queen Bee and my Barred Rock soon followed suit, laying her eggs in the same nest. This went on about a week, and then no eggs for a few days. My younger hens led me to her new nest ( I guess they were curious what she was doing). I found 7 eggs and they both continued to use that nest for about 5 more days. This morning, I saw her in a new location and found 2 eggs.
I was under the impression they are creatures of habit. Is there anything I can do to encourage them to stay in one place?

 

[Free Feather]

Pen them up in the mornings, assuming they lay in the mornings. After they all have layed, let them out to free range. Do this for a week, then start letting them out again. Hopefully they will still lay in the nests. Encourage them by putting plastic eggs in the nests.

 

[silkymom]

yep i would lock em up till they lay and then let them out, i wait till 2 pm to let mine out cause i know eggs are layed, 4 pm i give em their fruit and veggies and any bread and cooked rice i have , they do good,