I have 4 chickens and am pretty clueless when it comes to them laying eggs. I hadn't been seeing one of my hens much I found her in the coop in one of the nest boxes with four eggs on the floor. I reasoned she laid the eggs in the box and they rolled on the floor. I guess my question is should I leave her alone or take the eggs. The guy I got them from said they wouldnt start laying till halloween. Also how long can an egg stay out side and still be edible.

Not refrigerated you can eat them for about 3 month. Put a strip of wood in the front of the box floor so the bedding and eggs stay put. Yes you can pick those eggs up as long as you don't disturb her too much. But I would wait till she is done and is back out in the run

We have some that seem like they should be dead they just stay put you don't see them out eating or drinking. We have some that lay on the floor. You have to put your nesting box almost on the floor and work it higher over time. Also I think they are about the dumbest animal around. I like them but Jeeze are they dumb!

Drive out and talk to my daughter and son in law. They can tell you about birds. Live in the house where you turn to go to that church

My nest boxes are five gallon buckets.I have a strip of wood in front of them to help keep the hay in them and help to not get the eggs kicked out on to the floor.

Before plastic buckets came along, we had nail kegs.

Huummm
This seems to be a fowl situation..
Sorry, cudnt help myself.