22 Nesting boxes & all of my Hens lay in the same 3

[Jmcggnj6]

We have a variety of hens black Marans, barred rocks, cuckoo Marans, Americauna,silver spangled,white and red leghorns,and a pioneer that thinks she is a dog. We have 22 nesting boxes up and our hens all use the same 3 boxes. They will literally climb in the box while another hen is laying. While it does make them easier to gather it does make it harder to keep the eggs clean. Why do they do this any suggestions on how to make them stop?

 

[PD-Riverman]

We have a variety of hens black Marans, barred rocks, cuckoo Marans, Americauna,silver spangled,white and red leghorns,and a pioneer that thinks she is a dog. We have 22 nesting boxes up and our hens all use the same 3 boxes. They will literally climb in the box while another hen is laying. While it does make them easier to gather it does make it harder to keep the eggs clean. Why do they do this any suggestions on how to make them stop?

Hmmmmmmm, That's a good Question I been trying to figure out for 1/2 a century??? LOL. If I got 20 hens----I just put in 3 or 4 boxes. I got a pen right now with 7 nesting boxes and they only use 2---but once and a while they will be a egg in a third one.

 

[eggbert420]

Its what they do. 1 nesting box per about 5 hens.

 

[Jmcggnj6]

For goodness sakes I was so worried about not having enough....

 

[aart]

Put some fake eggs/golf balls in some of the other nests, then they will use them.
How many birds do you have?