Crowding while laying

[Betsyg16]

I have 9 hens. When one is laying she takes along time, but there are 3 others, light Brahmas that crowd her. There is plenty of other places to lay, but they want to lay in that one spot, and my buff can’t stand it. Is this a big deal

 

[JaeG]

It sounds perfectly normal. Chickens like to lay where other chickens have laid so often there is a bit of congestion at the favourite box. Some are assertive enough that no other chicken dare enter, but in general you can get 2 or more girls piling on in if its that time of day.

 

[aart]

There is plenty of other places to lay

Put one fake egg in each nest, that should help 'spread the love'....
....especially if all the nests are the same configuration and in the same general area.

 

[Betsyg16]

Ok, just saw this reply. I’m missing something here. Why the fake egg.

 

[aart]

Ok, just saw this reply. I’m missing something here. Why the fake egg.

When they see an egg in a nest it's instinctual that it means 'this is a safe place to lay'.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Put one fake egg in each nest, that should help 'spread the love'....
....especially if all the nests are the same configuration and in the same general area.

I agree. This solved my problem of broken eggs due to crowding!