nest boxes

[ejstoner]

when one of my hens decides to lay, all the others(3) of them, get inside the nest with the other hen. Usually only 2 others can fit, but sometimes eggs get broken. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[gritsar]

Sounds like they are all laying on the same cycle. Can you provide a second nest? Also, what are you using for nest bedding?

 

[ejstoner]

I have 2 nests, but the never use the other one. I have hay in the nests

 

[Biddieacres]

same problem here. I guess they just like one particular nest for some reason and when they are ready to lay they don't want to wait. They are funny like that.

 

[ejstoner]

It is sort of amusing to see 3 birds in one nest-- the only problem is that with all that moving around, and vying for space they crack or break the eggs

 

[Biddieacres]

Broken eggs is not good huh? Well, I tried yesterday to pull this one hen out and leave the other one alone. I must have pulled her out of that nest 10 times and she would not go in the other nest. I finally held her a while but finally I said, well I can't hold ya anymore and she ran right back in that nest. I was lucky and no eggs were broken. Maybe it will pass.

 

[ejstoner]

Maybe they will get on a different laying schedule

 

[BarkerChickens]

We have 6 hens and they all fight over one nest! When things get bad, we put eggs in the the other nest and sometimes they lay in both nests for a short time. Worth a shot trying!

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

try making the other nest fluffier and more cozy....with shavings!

 

[ejstoner]

It seems whatever nesting material I put in there, within a couple days, the scratch it all out. Are wood shavings better than hay?