Chickens weird nesting habits

[Tinkey71]

What kind of fake eggs?
Were they nice and heavy ones....or hollow plastic easter eggs?

I had a pullet once that refused to use a nest with a fakie in it,
after she had been laying a few days it didn't bother her anymore.

They are ceramic- very realistic
I did use them in the nesting boxes when I had the feeling the hens were going to lay soon. I think it was helpful in indicating to them where to lay as I have never had them lay outside of the nesting boxes. But once my egg production went up (more hens started laying) , they seemed annoyed by the fake eggs and I often found them rolled out of the boxes, or they would avoid going into the boxes the fakes were in. I took them out and the hens have been laying a lot of eggs, just all together. I guess it really doesn’t matter other than to feel like they are using thier space.

 

[aart]

I guess it really doesn’t matter other than to feel like they are using thier space.

Unless you start getting broken eggs from possible bickering over wanting to use the nest at the same time. Try them again and see what happens. If they can get a fake egg out of the nest, they can get a real egg out of the nest.......might want to make your nest fronts higher. Just some thoughts.

 

[MissLavender]

I have a hen (Daniellie) who, whenever another hen is in the nest box, will go and sit with her until she lays her egg and leaves. Then she'll get really excited and sing the egg song FOR the other hen. She has always done this.

 

[Rammy]

My hens switch around as to which box they all want to lay in. One day its this box, next day that box. One box, no matter what day, will have the majority of the eggs.

 

[WindingRoad]

My 12 chickens have 4 nesting boxes and all decide to lay in the same box! I go throughout the day and find groups of eggs all in the same spot. I added more bedding the others and that didn’t change anything. I guess I don’t mind since I’m getting like 8 eggs a day, but it seems weird- I was worried about having enough boxes, but if their going to all share one!?!

My chickens 4 of them Laid three eggs in one box overnight a while ago. Then the next day I had an egg in each box. 3 eggs again. Ya never know.

 

[RoosterRules]

Mine want to lay together in one box but my littlest hen kicks out my big Brahmas and sends them flying, it's hilarious.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If it is not broke, don't try to fix it. At least they are laying in a nest. From your posts I think you understand this, you just want to know what is going on.

I'm a believer that fake eggs can help get them to lay in a nest, I've had some experiences that convinced me of that. But you are dealing with living animals, they don't all follow the same rules as some of the other poster's stories show.

I've seen three hens in one nest. At the same time three hens were in another nest. There were totally empty nests available. I typically get most of the eggs in one or two nests but usually get one or two from the others. The popular nests can change. Sometimes the top left is the most popular for weeks at a time, then for a while the bottom right may be the most popular. Or it can change daily. The only thing consistent about chickens is their inconsistency.

Your story sound perfectly normal to me, just don't be surprised if you find something different.

 

[Tinkey71]

If it is not broke, don't try to fix it. At least they are laying in a nest. From your posts I think you understand this, you just want to know what is going on.

I'm a believer that fake eggs can help get them to lay in a nest, I've had some experiences that convinced me of that. But you are dealing with living animals, they don't all follow the same rules as some of the other poster's stories show.

I've seen three hens in one nest. At the same time three hens were in another nest. There were totally empty nests available. I typically get most of the eggs in one or two nests but usually get one or two from the others. The popular nests can change. Sometimes the top left is the most popular for weeks at a time, then for a while the bottom right may be the most popular. Or it can change daily. The only thing consistent about chickens is their inconsistency.

Your story sound perfectly normal to me, just don't be surprised if you find something different.

I agree- one thing I love about these forums is I’m always learning! I am a chicken Newby and didn’t know until now that chickens did things like this! I did used fakes in the beginning and if nothing else, I think it taught them where to lay as I’ve never had problems with them laying outside of the boxes
I’m just happy to get any eggs at all, I’m thrilled every time I go out there and see eggs!