How many nest boxes?

[TilliesRoost]

How many nest boxes do I need for 12 chickens? I currently have 3 boxes but there is still a waiting line. And sometimes they only use 2 boxes! Broody birds occasionally use 1 of the boxes too. Should I add another box and will they use it?

 

[aart]

Should I add another box and will they use it?

Might be a good idea, bu 3 should be enough.
Do you have a fake egg or two in all the nests?
That can help 'spread the love'.
Are all the nests in the same basic location?
But there's nothing really wrong with a line forming, as long as no one's getting bloodied or eggs are getting broken.

 

[AGeese]

It could be enough, but if you're having problems it won't hurt to add one. Mine can be really particular about boxes. Sometimes I find one kicked over. In the past I've seen them find a spot completely on their own. My current setup is 2 nesting boxes in a large dog pen on blocks with mini flake in the tray and in the boxes. This seems to work, and I typically find eggs in only one of the boxes. I have 7 hens, with 2 probably nearing laying age now.

 

[Yardmom]

It won't hurt to add another box, especially if you are using one for brooding, but it might not stop the line at the favorite box.

 

[TilliesRoost]

Thank you for all the replies. I do keep a ceramic egg in each box and this seems to help with making the boxes more desirable, the boxes are low to the floor. But some of the hens prefer to only use their favorite box. I think come spring time I will add another box to possibly shorten their wait time. Hopefully they use it!

Thanks again!

 

[AGeese]

Sometimes I just leave one egg behind if I think there's any confusion, and that seems to get them back on track.

 

[aart]

But some of the hens prefer to only use their favorite box.

I've found this to be true, usually most want to use the nest that the first egg of the day gets laid in....some others prefer a different nest.

 

[TilliesRoost]

I've found this to be true, usually most want to use the nest that the first egg of the day gets laid in....some others prefer a different nest.

I take it they find it safe to lay an egg where another hen has already? Either that it's to drive us crazy. LOL

 

[aart]

I take it they find it safe to lay an egg where another hen has already? Either that it's to drive us crazy.

Yeppers!
They don't care to please us....or defy us.(it's humans who do things like that)

 

[rosemarythyme]

I take it they find it safe to lay an egg where another hen has already? Either that it's to drive us crazy. LOL

Usually. I was recently experimenting with my boxes and the number of fakes in them, and while the flock has an obvious favorite box (and obvious favored secondary box) I also have 1 pullet that very much prefers the least popular box, that has no fake in it.

As to the original question, 3 boxes should be enough for 12 (that's how I have it set up) but a 4th box wouldn't hurt at all if you have space for it.