Coverings for Nest Boxes ?

[BruceAZ]

I have 2 nesting boxes similar to this - for 5 hens



but for some reason the hens will only take turn to lay in one nesting box--

never two hens using the nesting boxes at the same time for some reason..

if i cover the opening of the nesting box with a cloth... 3/4 of the way..

will it help with the fighting and noises?

 

[CluckerCottage]

you can try that, may help.
some nest box curtains, like this?

 

[sunflour]

2 nests should be fine for 5 hens. But it does seem they all want the " best position".

Curtains can help block out light and make a nest more inviting/private.

If you could post pic's of your nests - best to do a the brightest light of the day. You may get better opines of why they all want the same one.

 

[aart]

Try fake eggs in both nests.

 

[BruceAZ]

2 nests should be fine for 5 hens. But it does seem they all want the " best position".

Curtains can help block out light and make a nest more inviting/private.

If you could post pic's of your nests - best to do a the brightest light of the day. You may get better opines of why they all want the same one.

they like to lay in the nesting box on the left (with or without golf ball)

i added more coverings after i took this picture.. just took an old t-shirt and cut it to multiples pieces..

i also dded some cardboard pieces (not sure if it will help though) but we will see..

my coop is pretty small only 3'x4' since my hens are free ranging all day

i also covered the coop's opening as well since there's no door to begin with

i hope this will help .. so they will stop making noises early in the morning

 

[carlf]

Quote: Doubt it will help much with the noise, chickens are naturally social, noisy talkative birds. Especially in the mornings or at laying time.
And once they all decide which box is the best one, not much you can do other than offer other choices.
But like others noted, with 5 birds, its about 100% probability they will all lay in the same box no matter what you do.
Years ago had 9 hens and a coop with 5 boxes. They all laid in two boxes. Sometimes there would be two hens in each of the boxes and a third one standing there fussing at them. All with 3 other empty boxes right there for the taking.

 

[BruceAZ]

Doubt it will help much with the noise, chickens are naturally social, noisy talkative birds. Especially in the mornings or at laying time.
And once they all decide which box is the best one, not much you can do other than offer other choices.
But like others noted, with 5 birds, its about 100% probability they will all lay in the same box no matter what you do.
Years ago had 9 hens and a coop with 5 boxes. They all laid in two boxes. Sometimes there would be two hens in each of the boxes and a third one standing there fussing at them. All with 3 other empty boxes right there for the taking.

i got 3 eggs today

1 right in the coop and 1 in each nesting box..

i guess as long you can block the light and give them more privacy they don't really care much..

after laying they will stay quite for the rest of the day..

 

[sunflour]

i got 3 eggs today

1 right in the coop and 1 in each nesting box..

i guess as long you can block the light and give them more privacy they don't really care much..

after laying they will stay quite for the rest of the day..

Glad your plan is working better. They do prefer lower light and privacy.

 

[dheltzel]

Doubt it will help much with the noise, chickens are naturally social, noisy talkative birds. Especially in the mornings or at laying time.
And once they all decide which box is the best one, not much you can do other than offer other choices.
But like others noted, with 5 birds, its about 100% probability they will all lay in the same box no matter what you do.
Years ago had 9 hens and a coop with 5 boxes. They all laid in two boxes. Sometimes there would be two hens in each of the boxes and a third one standing there fussing at them. All with 3 other empty boxes right there for the taking.

Last year I had 4 nestboxes for 24 pullets. I once found 6 (yes, 6!) in one box and the other 3 boxes were empty. These were a light breed (California Greys), but the nestboxes were only 16 inch cubes. I think trying to change their behavior is a waste of time. It's like teaching a pig to dance -- it won't work and it will annoy the pig.