All the eggs are in one basket, I mean nest!😄 is this normal?

[MeeMawsChicks]

My husband built in 7 nesting boxes for the 7 chickens in one side of the coop. Why do they all want to lay their eggs in one nest only? I have seen them waiting in line to lay their egg in the one box! (Imagine a line of women outside the bathroom waiting to use the one preferred bathroom stall) And they get cranky if the girl sitting on the nest decides to stay a while!! It’s quite funny to see!
The 3 chickens in the other side of the coop have decided to do the same thing in their living quarters. They seem to think that they can only lay their eggs in one specific place!

 

[Lollychicken]

Yeah, chickens are funny like this. They will all lay in the nest box which they feel is safer (usually the one closest to a wall/corner of the pen)

 

[SnootyHen]

Completely normal. They'd rather wait in line for "the good box" than use a different one. You may as well convert 5 of those boxes into storage space. LOL!!

 

[MeeMawsChicks]

Yeah, chickens are funny like this. They will all lay in the nest box which they feel is safer (usually the one closest to a wall/corner of the pen)

Yep! It’s in the quieter more secluded part of the coop!

 

[MeeMawsChicks]

Completely normal. They'd rather wait in line for "the good box" than use a different one. You may as well convert 5 of those boxes into storage space. LOL!!

Good idea! Ha!Ha!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I have three nesting boxes for 15 hens, and they only use one (occasionally the 2nd) but never all three.

 

[MeeMawsChicks]

I have three nesting boxes for 15 hens, and they only use one (occasionally the 2nd) but never all three.

Well, now I don’t feel like my hens are just weirdos

 

[aart]

They will most often lay where there is another egg(s).
Put one or two fake egg(s) in each nest to help 'spread the love'.
That doesn't mean there won't still be a favorite nest.
Oh, and you don't need 1 nest for each bird, 1 nest for each 3-5 birds is plenty.

 

[WIchickMama]

Same here, I have 3 boxes for 7 chickens. Most days they all lay in the same one, but you can tell when someone just couldn't wait they use the 2nd favorite. The 3rd box NEVER gets used

 

[NatJ]

you don't need 1 nest for each bird, 1 nest for each 3-5 birds is plenty.

For laying hens, I agree!

(Exception: if you are letting broody hens set on eggs, you should plan to have one nest for each broody, with one or two others for the layers to share.)