How many nesting boxes for 20 hens?

[coopdeville15]

When I built my coop a few years ago, I built it with four nesting boxes and started out with 8 hens. Of course the laying hens only wanted to use one or on occasion, two of the available boxes. I never had a problem with eggs laid outside of the nesting boxes or in the run. I now have 20 hens, most of which were new chicks this spring and several are starting to lay just in the last couple of weeks and a few have yet to lay their first egg. All of the nesting boxes are being used, but I'm finding eggs in various places, all from the newly laying hens, either outside the nests in the coop or out in the run in the open. Do I need more nesting boxes or will this pass? I do have ceramic eggs in all of the nests. Any suggestions?

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

1 nest box per 3-4 hens is my recommendation. It may take awhile for the new layers to get the hang of laying in the boxes.

 

[GC-Raptor]

New layers are figuring out the laying process, and may drop an egg anywhere.
That said if you have a high production type of hen, like a sex-links. I would recommend a box for every 2 hens. I have 2 boxes for 5 Golden Comets, and have seen many times a hen waiting for a nest. . This latest pic was taken Sunday. Most of my girls lay early in the morning. GC

 

[chicks are life]

I have 11 hens and 7 getting ready to lay.
The eleven are in one kennel the 7 are in the other.I have 7 nesting boxes for the older hens they choose one mabey two to lay in

For 20 I would provide 6 boxes.
The hens will get the hang of it you camn buy fake eggs to put in the boxes to help them but they will Gert it...eventually...

 

[aart]

Do I need more nesting boxes or will this pass?

I'd add a couple nests.