laying eggs in only 1 box

[Three Cedars Silkies]

My aunt gave me one of the double metal laying boxes with 12 nests...6 on top and 6 on the bottom. It was certainly more than 12 hens needed, but it was free!!

They all lay in 4 of the nests...usually the same 4. Go figure!!

However, many of them do get in them for warmth on cold nights. Even the roos like them when it's cold. I don't like that they poop in them, but we just clean them out and put in fresh hay every couple of days.

 

[horsejody]

I have 8 boxes, and they all lay in the same one. One day I went out to the coop and there was one in the box and a line with 4 hens waiting.

It looked like the ladies restroom at the fair. You know, 4 stalls - 3 are broken and everybody is lined up for the last good toilet.

 

[ddeans]

Quote:
Mine do the same thing, there are 8 laying boxes and they literally line up for 1 box at around 9 and after about 10:30 we go get about 7 or so eggs. It would be a much quicker process if they would each pick their own box and do their business there.