Hen disturbing another while she is laying

[kwhitted]

I have two hens that are 5 1/2 months old. One hen laid her first egg on Tuesday. She has laid daily since. Yesterday when she was trying to lay, my other hen (whom has not laid) kept trying to get in the box with her. She sat on top of her and eventually ran her out. She did it again today. What is she doing?

 

[bargain]

It's common chicken behavior....All chickens seem to like just a few of the boxes. I used to think okay 12 hens 12 boxes I need, no more like 3 or 4!!!! They won't usually hurt each other, they just want the same box!!!!

 

[Clucksworth]

It's common chicken behavior....All chickens seem to like just a few of the boxes. I used to think okay 12 hens 12 boxes I need, no more like 3 or 4!!!! They won't usually hurt each other, they just want the same box!!!!

x2
I have just over 20 chickens living together and they all like just 2 nest boxes. In the morning there are always cues for the boxes and I often spot 2 or more chickens trying to cram themselves into the "favorite box"

 

[kwhitted]

Thank you! I thought maybe the other hen was trying to get to egg and destroy it or she was jealous because she hasn't laid yet.

 

[CrazyChick4]

My hens also try to share nest boxes they like a particular one they do use the other one but they sometimes push each other out )

 

[kwhitted]

UPDATE....today my laying hen (Jessica) layer another egg. I decided to leave it to see what my other hen (Kennedy) would do. Well she got in the box and cracked it open. Why did she do this? Is she missing something from her diet? What can I do other than grab the eggs as soon as they are laid?