Nest box troubles. Ideas for a new design?

[cupman]

My chickens will sit and stare at the 6 nest boxes for 20 minutes, hopping in and out, in and out, pestering the other chickens trying to lay.. etc. The biggest problem is that during all the commotion they will crack and break eggs that have already been laid. My nest boxes are about 12"x12"x12" Is it possible they are too small and this could be causing the chickens to break the eggs? I have 18 laying hens and I am only getting about 8 eggs a day. I see between 2-4 broken egg remains every day when I go out there and it just seems like a waste.

Has anyone else run into this problem? I was considering either making nest boxes with more room or possibly building a slanted bottom where the eggs could roll into a slot. I saw a setup like that at this home and garden show but their setup was one of those coops for city chickens.. maximum capacity of about four birds.

I have about 40 chickens total and about 14 more will begin laying over the next few weeks. I know I'm going to need more than 6 nest boxes and was just trying to get some good ideas before I start building.

Thanks.

 

[chicmom]

Hmm, wondering if you don't have an egg eater.....Are you sure they're stepping on the eggs and breaking them by accident? Maybe their shells are a little weak. If you're feeding a good layer feed, they should be getting enough calcium, but offering some crushed oyster shell is always a good idea.

 

[cupman]

I sort of think they get cracked and then the chickens start eating them once they get cracked. I'd be surprised if I had an egg eater because such critters around here aren't too common. Not all of my birds are laying yet and the weather has spiked the past three days. It could be to blame for low production.

As for feed I am using flock raiser because I just have so many different ages of birds... along with guineas and turkeys.

 

[jpcode]

I make mine smaller and I have them covered with small doors so that once a chicken is in they can turn around and defend their position. Use lots of padding. Eggs should be strong enough that a chicken could step on it, and it will not break.

 

[crchickens]

I wonder if your problem is that you are not using layer feed. Maybe they are not getting enough calcium?