do chickens share nesting boxes?

[llandry]

I have one chicken that's been laying for a few months and always uses the same nesting box. Last week another one started to lay and uses the same box. (i have four boxes) Over the past three days, both eggs have been in the box together but each day it's a different nesting box. It's like they're trying them all on for size.

Do they like to all use the same box? Either way is freaking adorable to see the two eggs in one nest!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yup, we usually collect as many as 10 in each box. Of course, some nests are ignored altogether. It's what they do.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Yes, well at least mine use the same nesting box!

 

[llandry]

HAHA 10 eggs in one nest!!! I thought my two in one nest was cute!! Love it!

 

[mickey328]

We have 6 hens and 2 nests and every one of them uses the same nest. They'll sleep in both if we let them but evidently there's only one fit for laying in, despite the fact that they're just the same, LOL

 

[llandry]

I love my chickens! If you would have told me a year ago i'd have chickens and that i would find even the simplest things such as what nest they use completely entertaining i wouldn't believe you.

So flippin' adorable

 

[JanetS]

6 eggs in one nesting box is the normal for my 6 chickens. Also my 2 leghorns will both be in the nesting box together laying their eggs.

Chickens are very entertaining.

 

[chickney]

Today I found my duck and my chicken in the same nesting box. I set up a nesting box on the ground for my duck and she chooses to jump up (2.5 ft) and lay in the chicken's nesting box. Next time I need to take a photo, it is really funny seeing them on top of each other. Especially when there are empty nesting boxes around them.

 

[aleebama]

I have three Easter Eggers that try to pile in one box at the same time when there are 3 more empty boxes.

 

[FenikT]

I have five birds (3 cornish, 2 EE) and one box. Laying runs anywhere from 530am to 300pm daily.

They all have their own schedule but I've seen two birds stuffed in one box at the same time. Most times, if one is on the nest and another is wanting to nest, they will simply wait their turn -or- simply walk on top of the nesting bird and try to punk them out. Sometimes the nesting bird gets punked, leaves the nest, and will protest loudly while standing over the new nester. Kind of amusing to watch...

The wind blew the run door shut while I was at work yesterday, locking the girls in free range for most of the day w/ no access to the coop & nest box. When I finally got home and opened the run door, both EEs ran into the coop and nested together. Within 10 minutes, they laid and ran back out into the yard. I suspect the cornish probably laid in the yard while locked out, but it was too cold & windy for me to look to verify.

Typical day:

Brownie waiting for Stinky to lay


Brownie finally gets to nest and tends to the bunch already in there, including the golf ball (Mr. Happy)


Everybody laid by 3pm