Communal nesting box

[Ponte]

Have had two nesting boxes for a while and it’s worked fine. Now For some reason multiple pullets want to use the Boxes at the same time, there is lots of hissing going on until one shares a box
I have 5 laying pullets, each lays 6 times per week and am thinking of bringing in two more girls.
The total width of the box is 34 inches with a 3/4 inch middle divider.
Am thinking that removing the middle divider will allow three to lay at the same time.
Should I:
A) remove the divider.
B) leave as is.
C) add nesting boxes.

 

[nchls school]

Have had two nesting boxes for a while and it’s worked fine. Now For some reason multiple pullets want to use the Boxes at the same time, there is lots of hissing going on until one shares a box
I have 5 laying pullets, each lays 6 times per week and am thinking of bringing in two more girls.
The total width of the box is 34 inches with a 3/4 inch middle divider.
Am thinking that removing the middle divider will allow three to lay at the same time.
Should I:
A) remove the divider.
B) leave as is.
C) add nesting boxes. That many birds sharing two boxes will lead to eggs getting broken which in turn results in egg eating.

 

[moniquem]

I'm interested to know what others do to fix this. I have 3 laying hens, I have 4 nest boxes but they insist on using 1. If I ever add chickens IDK what will happen.

 

[Ponte]

I'm interested to know what others do to fix this. I have 3 laying hens, I have 4 nest boxes but they insist on using 1. If I ever add chickens IDK what will happen.

Up to about 4-6 weeks ago mine would use only one box, they would patiently wait their turn.

 

[nchls school]

I'd cover the nest being used for several days and place dummy eggs in the other nests to encourage the hens to lay elsewhere. If all the nest boxes look the same putting up new different boxes might help. I use a variety of nest sites and rarely do I have more than two using the same nest; usually only one hen. I use plastic milk crates, pails, wooden boxes, and anything else that a hen would fit in.

One of my phoenix hens is brooding in a metal parrot nest box turned on its side.

 

[aart]

Fake eggs in all nests...can help spread the love.