All in same nesting box?

[Eggie and Me]

Our 7 gals are 12 wks old and are sleeping in the same nesting box. It's hysterical, kinda like college students and crowding into a VW. Will they separate once they start laying? They are ridiciously tame, follow me everywhere and keep very close tabs on each other. They are "pets" who we are hoping will give us eggs.

Do we need to make changes and if so what?? Thanks

 

[chickenbottom]

i would block the nesting boxes til about 16 weeks

 

[stuckinthecity]

It doesnt hurt anything, and yes they will spread out over time and if you have roosts will probably start using them/ or they could start sleeping in the nest boxes. Again, doesnt hurt anything but the eggs will be dirty with poo unless you clean them out alot. You can simply put some chicken wire over the nest boxes untill they start laying if you wanna fix this.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Quote:
sorry didnt see ur post, till I posted

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
sorry didnt see ur post, till I posted

oh its okay you just explained things more lol

 

[gritsar]

Yep, teach them that roosts are for sleeping. Nestboxes are for laying eggs.
Once they start laying, they may still insists on using the same nestbox to lay their eggs in. I've had three sit in one box at the same time and successfully lay their eggs, none broken.