Egg boxes: I feel like this is probably a stupid question but I’m asking it anyway

[z3lda3]

It is fairly common for me to see three hens piled into one of my nests laying eggs with all other nests empty. They just want to use the same nest and don't mind the company.

I saw a mature hen go up to a pullet laying in a nest, grab the pullet by the head, and jerk her off of the nest. She wanted to lay in that nest and did not want to share. That pullet went to a different nest.

I had one hen that would regularly go onto a nest to lay an egg and stay there 3 hours. She would not allow any other hen to get in the nest with her.

I have four nests, two rows of two. Each has a fake egg (golf ball) in it. If I get 8 eggs in one day it is pretty normal to get 5 eggs in one nest, 2 eggs in another nest, and 1 egg in a nest by itself. But that can vary every day. Some hens like to share a nest, some don't. Each is an individual.

Yes! I’ve got 4 nesting boxes for 4 layers. 2 use a wash tub, 1 uses a 5 gallon bucket and 1 isn’t laying quite yet so she doesn’t know what’s going on. But she sings along with everybody else. Meanwhile the 4 nesting boxes are empty.

 

[RoyalChick]

@RoyalChick that’s hilarious! And beautiful birds. What kind are they?

Thank you.
Different kinds. The black one is an olive egger. The white one is an opal Legbar. The other two are Welbars - one silver and one gold.

 

[z3lda3]

Thank you.
Different kinds. The black one is an olive egger. The white one is an opal Legbar. The other two are Welbars - one silver and one gold.

Ooo I’ve got 2 cream legbars, not laying yet. They are some funny chickens. They look identical and act kind of stuck up with the other chickens, they’re ALWAYS together. We call them Mary-Kate and Ashley lol.
Also keep in mind I’m new to chickens- I don’t know olive eggers were black! She’s a beaut!

 

[RoyalChick]

Ooo I’ve got 2 cream legbars, not laying yet. They are some funny chickens. They look identical and act kind of stuck up with the other chickens, they’re ALWAYS together. We call them Mary-Kate and Ashley lol.
Also keep in mind I’m new to chickens- I don’t know olive eggers were black! She’s a beaut!

Not all olive eggers are black. Depends what their parents are.
Mine is a cross between a French Black Copper Marans and a black Ameraucana.
She has feathered legs from the Marans side.

 

[z3lda3]

Not all olive eggers are black. Depends what their parents are.
Mine is a cross between a French Black Copper Marans and a black Ameraucana.
She has feathered legs from the Marans side.

I didn’t know Ameracucans could be black! I’ve got a little French copper maran rooster (he may be mixed idk) but he’s got the feathered feet too. I love the feathered feet myself, it’s adorable.

 

[RoyalChick]

I didn’t know Ameracucans could be black! I’ve got a little French copper maran rooster (he may be mixed idk) but he’s got the feathered feet too. I love the feathered feet myself, it’s adorable.

Yes. My other black chicken is an Ameraucana. She doesn’t usually share a nest box though.