Chickens all laying in same box = cracked eggs

[medicmandan]

How do I fix this? I've got dummy eggs in all of the boxes (7 total) but they all lay in the same box. If I'm not diligent in collecting the eggs I usually get a cracked one.

How can I convince them to use multiple boxes? I've got six total hens, four of which seem to be laying regularly.

 

[gritsar]

If you figure out a way to get them to use seperate boxes, let me know.

What type of boxes are you using and what are you using for bedding material?
I've found 13 eggs total in one box and not a single one broken or cracked. They were in their favorite box - a covered kitty litterbox - the only one I have like that. I use hay for box bedding.
Yesterday three hens squeezed into that box all at the same time and no cracked eggs.

 

[Judy]

You could try a piece of that rubbery shelf liner under the litter. Hopefully it will provide some padding if they scratch the litter aside.

I believe I'd be mean and close off that one nest. Shake thing up a bit. Maybe they'll adopt more than one of the others.

Or knock out dividers, if possible, and make a community nest box.

 

[ranchhand]

Try looking for plans for a "rollout" nest box. Once the egg is laid on the padding or foam, it rolls to the edge and avoids harm.

Here ya go, pics of some very nice ones. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1463000#p1463000

 

[Capone]

yep for the last three years my 9 australorps have been laying in the same two boxes. i did knock out two dividers to make one big one and they refused to lay in it. so i had to put the dividers back lol. it seems they chose the darkest one and the one that is farthest from the door.

 

[Lollipop]

Dan, I wouldn`t think 4 hens laying in one box would cause all the trouble you`re having, normally. Two things come to mind, are the eggshells thin? If not, how about the nesting material? Is it cushy and thick enough? Maybe one more thing. Do they have calcium (crushed oyster shell) available? I`ve had hens piling in one nest to lay many times without a breakage problem. More questions. What breed(size) are your hens? Are the boxes big enough? Whew!! All these questions and possibilities. Roll out nests are the ideal thing, maybe they will work for you......Pop