are there ever "bunkbeds" re: a coop's nesting "stalls"?

[lazy gardener]

My nest boxes are stacked 3 over 3. The birds do prefer the upper boxes. General rule of thumb is 1 box per 4 birds. OP would do well with 2 boxes. Make sure they are big enough. Birds stand up when they lay an egg. Many folks don't take that fact into consideration and do not make the boxes tall enough. An other option would be a community box where many birds can lay eggs at the same time. I believer JT's roll out is a community box. My birds LOVE the larger boxes. I have a broody area that has 2 of these storage crates (I removed the top 2 slats from the front of each box) https://www.lowes.com/pd/STOR-Crate-12-5-in-W-x-9-5-in-H-x-17-5-in-D-Wood-Bin/50375206

plus some extra space, and they LOVE that area.

 

[jthornton]

Lol!!! I am fighting with my auto incorrect lately.

sorry JT.

I was just messing with you lol. I hate auto correct on my phone...

JT

 

[21hens-incharge]

I was just messing with you lol. I hate auto correct on my phone...

JT

Oh the things auto correct has done to my posts!

I know you were just messing with me.

 

[jthornton]

I believe JT's roll out is a community box.

Yep it's a community nest box, and the first one was too low and too shallow so I made a new one taller and deeper so the pullets could move around and stand up. I did peek in yesterday just as a pullet laid her egg standing up. I've seen 2 pullets side by side facing the side wall before. I've never heard a squawk coming from the nest box even though they definitely have a pecking order outside the nest box.

JT

 

[lazy gardener]

There's plenty of yelling that goes on in my nest boxes!

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Pictures, if it helps.
The old nesting boxes. I trashed these—hard to clean and they became roosts. Yuck.
View attachment 1341021
The new (temporary) nest boxes. I am really enjoying them. The birds like them, they're easy to clean, they don't get slept on, and they don't harbour lice.
View attachment 1341022

Wonderful tip! Love this idea

 

[bruceha2000]

An other option would be a community box where many birds can lay eggs at the same time.

Tell that to my hens!!!!!!

I have a 4' box in the coop, divided into 3 open nests, 1 large cat litter box out in the feed room and a 4' community box on the outside wall of the coop. At the moment 3 of the 15 that are laying will use one of the individual open boxes. ALL the rest use ONLY the north end of the community box and I've seen at least 2 trying to lay at the same time. PLENTY of room in the other 3' of the box but NOOOO!!!!!!! they won't use it. If I put a plastic egg on the other end (where I have added an entry hole thinking maybe they would use that end) one of the hens moves it to the ONE acceptable spot to lay eggs in that box.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I have stacked boxes. They use them all but prefer the top two. Be aware they like to roost above the nest boxes. So for me that’s in the rafters. And yes there are 4 hens in the top box.

 

[lazy gardener]

Funny creatures they are. It seems that the social protocal that works for my girls is not proper etiquette for Bruce's gals! I often mess things up just to keep them off balance: switch out the golf balls and the ceramic eggs, block off a favorite nest... close off the broody area for a bit. Keeps 'em guessing!!!

 

[aart]

Keep in mind tho, they like to roost in the highest spot they can.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/