Hens all laying in the same box

[ChickenTater]

Ok so I have 5 hens, all different breeds (except my two leghorn sisters) and no matter what I do, they ALL lay in the SAME nesting box! I have fake eggs in all my boxes, and yet they still only lay in one box. I even tried taking the bedding out of the one box to force them to use other boxes, but they all just chose a different box and laid all in the same one again!

Is this normal, or should I continue trying to break them of this habit? I'm kinda confused, because when they first started laying, it was in a couple different boxes (I have four boxes for them) but for the passed month it's been all in one. Is there a reason why they're doing this? My were all hatched in March of this year, so they're about 7 months now. Could it have something to do with their age?

 

[sourland]

It's just what chickens tend to do, and I seriously doubt that you can break them of this habit.

 

[N F C]

It's normal for them to share a box. My 5 girls will consistently use the same one box for several days in a row and then decide to all switch to another box (all 5 of them again).

It's nothing to worry about, like @sourland said, it's just what chickens do!

 

[sourland]

It's sort of the 'grass is always greener on the other side of the fence' syndrome.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

My 9 hens all lay in nesting box too. It must be a chicken thing.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Here too! All in the same nest, with 6 to choose from!

 

[justachickenlover]

Yes It's alright for chickens to do this. I have 5 hens, and all of them lay in one box.