Are Hens This Stubborn??

[TyRi]

I have 17 hens (not all laying yet but close) and 4 identical nesting boxes. This morning I had 2 hens in the 2 outer boxes with 2 in line (seriously in a single file line waiting) for each and another decided the corner of the coop was a nice spot. Why do they not want the 2 middle boxes? Are chickens just stubborn like that? I have heard about privacy curtains, would they just duck under the curtains to get in? Didn’t want it to seem closed off and they lay somewhere else! Thanks!

 

[The Coop Crew]

I don’t have a solution unfortunately but I’m cracking up that they were waiting in line for a turn

 

[MommyGirl]

I don’t have a solution unfortunately but I’m cracking up that they were waiting in line for a turn

I’ve got 8 nesting boxes and mine will wait in line too! it’s hilarious

 

[The Coop Crew]

I’ve got 8 nesting boxes and mine will wait in line too! it’s hilarious

That is so funny it’s like waiting for the biggest stall in the bathroom hahaha

 

[FrostRanger]

Yes, yes they are that stubborn, but there is a good reason behind it. In the wild it makes sense for them to lay in the same place as it's easier for the flock to keep them warm and protected. So when someone finds a safe spot everyone will try and lay there. In the context of our safe backyard farms it certainly does seem a bit silly though. As long as they have the option of other nest boxes, it's nothing to worry about. You can place a few fake eggs in the other boxes if you want to perhaps encourage them to lay in the other boxes but they still might ignore them for the most part lol

 

[Yardmom]

Waiting on line is great. Mine tend to pile on top even though only one hen really fits.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Why do they not want the 2 middle boxes?

Because those aren't the "chosen" boxes All kidding aside, they are just strange critters! With my hens its usually whatever box gets the first hen of the day is "the box" of the day. I rarely find eggs in more than 2 boxes, unless I have new layers, they tend to take what they can get.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Why do they not want the 2 middle boxes?

What you are describing is not unusual. I also have four nests, two rows of two. I've seen three hens piled into one nest while the other three nests were empty. I've seen hens lined up for a nest in use with others empty. I saw a mature hen grab a pullet by the head and jerk her out of a nest so the mature hen could lay there. I've seen a hen go onto a nest to lay, stay there for three hours before she finally lays her egg and leaves, and keep all other hens out of that nest.

If I get eight eggs in a day, I'll probably get 5 of them in one nest, two in a separate nest, and one in a nest all by itself. I have fake eggs in each nest. Of course this can vary day by day but is reasonably consistent. The popular nest can change every few weeks. They are going to decide where they lay, I don't know why they choose as they do. As long as no harm is done I don't care which of my nests they choose to use. I'm glad when they lay in my nests and not somewhere else.

 

[aart]

Put one or two fake eggs in each nest.
It can help 'spread the love'.

 

[PoppasGrill]

Ours love to lay on top of the broody hen and add to the clutch. The Americauna , we have several, will stand outside the nest and yell at the hen inside , seems like hours when I’m working in the barn, then go in and lay.
We have 100+ hens and they only use 5 of the 12 nesting boxes.
We put up 2 new boxes during our renovation last weekend and had hens waiting in line to be the first to throw all the hey out. 10 mins later one of our Bantam Roos was in the nest just chillin , the ladies were screaming at him so we had to chase him out.