Chickens guarding while laying

[ripper8382]

When I have a chicken in the box laying sometimes another will stand guard. Is this normal?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I believe it's more they are waiting in line, but it is normal.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
No guarding. They're wanting to get in there.

 

[chickens really]

x3...not guarding....it is waiting....cheers!

 

[ripper8382]

I got 4 eggs in the same box the other day. I don't get why they don't spread out. There are 4 boxes

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They like to lay where there's already eggs, fake eggs in every box will spread out your laying. Seeing an egg in a nest means someone thought it was a safe place to do so in the hens mind, so she will see it as safe too.

 

[twisted-acres-farm]

They like to lay where there's already eggs, fake eggs in every box will spread out your laying. Seeing an egg in a nest means someone thought it was a safe place to do so in the hens mind, so she will see it as safe too.

Cheap way is to hard boil some "reject" eggs and then use them in the nest just make sure to mark them in some way.

 

[donrae]

Mine always wait for the prime box. There are several available, but it's all about the location apparently.

They'll even start harassing the hen in the box if she takes too long......could easily go to another spot, but NO! They'll cluck and growl and carry on until the occupant finishes her business and moves on.

 

[aart]

Fake eggs can definitely help, but they can still bitchandmoan over a favorite nest.
This morning I did an experiment, one fake egg and only in the normally least used(least favorite?) nest...it was the first nest to be used today.
Went out to check things later and all 4 nests were occupied and there was LOTS of bitchinandmoanin going on.
Just went and checked, one egg in every nest, but all the rest in the only baited and first used today nest.
Doesn't prove anything, but it was interesting and semi amusing.

When I have a chicken in the box laying sometimes another will stand guard. Is this normal?

Just wondered, @ripper8382 do those trays/pans tip when they stand on the edge of them?

 

[ripper8382]

They will tip fwd a bit but they don't seem to have that issue. They must step over and in them. No cracked eggs yet. I'm up to 5ish a day from 9 girls