Why would they prefer no nest box?

[ams3651]

each year with out fail my youngest pullets decide to lay somewhere on the floor and the rest follow. recently is was behind the cardboard box that was left after the broody was done, they had laid in there so i left it. Then when I found they laid behind it i moved it. They did not like that idea and found a new spot. I just figure they get to decide and I get to look for them.

 

[CathyM]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments!
Yes, they are lower ranked hens, but most of the time, the coop nest boxes are empty when they choose the smaller coop... and one of them will try to get into the smaller coop if at all possible, and only lay where she's supposed to if all else fails!

I guess it's good to know that I'm not doing anything wrong; it's sometimes a matter of preference.

 

[henney penny]

ELMO Those nesting boxes have been there for two years now and I did have golf balls in them for a year and a half,there is a lot more room in the nesting boxes then under them,they just like the floor because one started and now they all lay there most of the time except for this other box that is up high on the wall.

 

[paddock36]

Quote:
It might be one of the lowest ranking hens. If you only have one nestbox and a superior hen is in it, the lower ranking ones will wait as long as they can for the box and then will lay somewhere else when they can't hold it in anymore. If you put in a spare nestbox, they might use that instead.

I have a row of three nest boxes and I even put some milk crate boxes on the ground and the one hen refuses to use anything but the dirt in the corner.