Yay!

One of my girls finally started producing eggs this week. She gave us the first one on Tuesday and has laid three more since then. At least I assume it's the same chicken laying eggs since they look the same and I keep finding them in the same spot. I'm not sure which one it is but I know I can positively rule out the two leghorns and the two Easter Eggers since the eggs I'm finding are brown. Which leaves either Red or Rocky. I thought for sure it was Rocky because I'm finding the eggs where she tends to roost. But then yesterday when I found the egg, Red had sand on her back. Which brings me to the other part of my situation, whoever is laying is doing so in the dirt. We have four perfectly good, hay-filled nesting boxes in the coop. Minimum standard is one box for every four birds, so we definitely have enough boxes. But this bird lays her egg in the dirt, behind the food dish. On the one hand I'm thinking whoever it is might be a little dumber than her flock-mates, the boxes certainly look more comfortable. But on the other hand, from where she has to be sitting to lay her egg she can most likely just reach over an grab some food. Having gone through the birthing process myself I'd say she's actually pretty smart. So anyway, somebody is earning their keep out back and hopefully the rest of them should be starting soon.