4 hens. Do I need more than one nesting box?

[Kluckners]

They seem to be sharing one happily, although only 2 are laying so far. Any reason to add a second?

 

[chrissynemetz]

I would add a second box, although they're still likely to use one more than the other

 

[Callender Girl]

One more would be fine, but -- as previously mentioned -- don't be surprised if they all choose to use the same one. That's how it works in most of my coops. One hen likes to stand outside the box and scream at anyone else who tries to use it, and another sits on the head of the offending birds in her coop.

 

[orloffer]

I have five chickens and only one next box. I would probably get another if the run had the space, but unfortunately it does not.

 

[NatJ]

They seem to be sharing one happily, although only 2 are laying so far. Any reason to add a second?

If everything is fine, no need for another nestbox.

But if one hen goes broody, she may refuse to let the other hens lay their eggs in the box.

Having a second box is handy so they have somewhere to lay eggs until you notice what's going on (and then you break the broody, or you move the broody somewhere else to hatch chicks.)

 

[dbtcowgirl]

My 11 free rangers have 5 nesting boxes and use 2 the others are just wrong, my 4 Serama's have 3 and only use one, the others somehow wrong

 

[thepick4uchicks]

They seem to be sharing one happily, although only 2 are laying so far. Any reason to add a second?

Personally I would add just one more unless you are cramped for space in your coop. They will always have a favorite that they will want to use but this will cut down on spats.

 

[Sammi_0411]

I would add another i have 3 large ones for my 10 xx