Issues "sharing" a nestbox

[beginnergirl]

My non laying EE pullet is pushing the BR (the only laying pullet) out of the nest box. Yesterday the non laying EE stepped on the BR's back and the BR left the nest. Today the EE tried to get into the same nest box as the BR, lifted her tail up high and shifted around and around and around, then sitting like she might lay. The EE has not squatted yet so not sure she is ready or not or just practicing! The BR (Willow) who both days laid in the same box within 15 minutes was squawking her head off non stop. There is another nest box but she did not try using it. I set each box up differently to see what my girls preferred, one with wood shavings and one with straw. Added wood shavings to the straw, covering most of the straw in the other nest box. The rose petals seem to calm everyone down a bit since I added them. They are eaten everyday.

My neighbors can hear Willow. She is so loud. Are pullets able to lay in one box at the same time? Each box might be 14" x 14". Will try measuring them. Maybe this is normal but Ms. Willow is not happy giving up the nest box. She is the top pullet. Suggestions? What else might help the girls chill out during this transition to laying? Should I remove the straw from the other box? Thanks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have four polish hens who try to all be in the same box at the same time, hens seem to have favorite boxes and don't like trying different ones, your EE is just seeing what the others are doing, she will probably start laying soon, adding ceramic eggs or golf balls will encourage use of the other boxes.

 

[beginnergirl]

I have four polish hens who try to all be in the same box at the same time, hens seem to have favorite boxes and don't like trying different ones, your EE is just seeing what the others are doing, she will probably start laying soon, adding ceramic eggs or golf balls will encourage use of the other boxes.

OldGreyHen,
Thanks! I will try fake eggs in the unused nest. Can't believe your 4 hens try to use the same box at the same time! So funny. That would be a great picture.
Hope my girls will calm down once everyone is laying. My SLW will have none of the drama. She had 2 sores on her comb from the BR when the BR began laying. Now she is in the run as far away from the nest boxes as possible.
Anyone use nest box herbs?

 

[beginnergirl]

...adding ceramic eggs or golf balls will encourage use of the other boxes.

Yes, this worked! Thanks After she removed the ceramic egg from the other nest box for 2 days and I put it back, my only layer laid her first egg in the other box!
I think she is getting used to laying and some days there is no egg song. An egg every day for weeks except one day. Amazing!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Happy to hear your girls are getting the idea,