Waaaaaaaaaaay back when we had chickens if a hen laid, she was on the eggs 99% of the time. Most of the hens would lay and then forget about them at which time the eggs would have no chance, sounds like what your hen did there (they aren't real thinkers sadly).

Mom would send me out daily and any nest I found that had no hen on it and which the eggs were cold she'd have me bring them in and we tossed them in the fridge for food later.