Favorite Nesting Box Pecking

[Nerdc0reRizing]

Hi,

I'm having trouble finding the answer to this specifically. We have 12 chickens and two of the rollaway nesting boxes that are supposed to each accommodate 20 chickens (they don't). They still favor only one box and we've done the fake balls and they will use the second box on occasion.

Anyway, today I noticed while one was about to lay her egg two other chickens were going in the box and sitting on top of her pecking her to get out and she had her head buried in the straw trying to avoid pecks to the face.

I pulled the other two out long enough for her to lay and had to pull the laying girl out pretty much almost right after laying. The other box was open at this time. Before I ran out with the golf balls again someone was in the second box.

I am not sure what to do because the one being pecked won't get out even though she's being attacked and they're being really aggressive about it.

Any tips are appreciated!

 

[azygous]

Is your coop so small you can't make new nesting boxes in another location? Even a third nest on the floor under the two nests you already have would help. Hens can't resist a nest on the floor.

I've found that when I have a timid hen being bullied in a nest by more aggressive hens, she will often stay after I move her to an empty nest.

Part of your problem also could be the nests are too exposed. Try curtains over the entrance to them. Hens really like seclusion.

 

[Nerdc0reRizing]

Hi, thanks! Both nesting boxes are on the floor and each have curtains. One is newer and less worn (the one they don't like).
I can try moving the bullied girl to the other nest though.