Nest boxes?

[lereg]

Ok. Here's my dilemma/ question. I have 22 hens, and want to know if anyone would think 5 nest boxes would work, or should I find a place to put another one?

 

[3KillerBs]

The usual rule is to have 1 nestbox for every 4 hens -- but people often find that all the birds lay in the same box anyway.

You can try what you've got and see if you get any problems with eggs not in the box, broken eggs, etc..

 

[blackdog043]

I have 5 nest boxes and had as many as 26 layers using them without a problem. Very seldom did I ever have eggs in every box, usually 3 boxes had eggs.

 

[Cazook]

Another advantage of putting fake eggs in the nest is that it discourages egg eating, as an egg eater will try to peck the fake egg and be unable to break it, dissuading the behaviour. I like stone eggs for their weight, the plastic ones usually get kicked out.

 

[aart]

I've had 22 using 4 nests.
I do have 1 fake egg in each nest, which reduces but does not eliminate occasional traffic jams and squabbles.

 

[Cazook]

one per 3-5 hens is a good guide.

mine just all pile in the same nesting box regardless of how many there are, though.

 

[45lk9p459gm-w]

Hum ... why do you put a fake egg in each nest?

So the hens will know it's a nest ......

 

[3KillerBs]

Hum ... why do you put a fake egg in each nest? I don't understand how it eliminates the traffic jam or squabbles?

It tells the hens that this nest is a good place to lay because they can see an "egg" in there already.

 

[aart]

Hum ... why do you put a fake egg in each nest? I don't understand how it eliminates the traffic jam or squabbles?

It gets them to use all the nests......because.....

It tells the hens that this nest is a good place to lay because they can see an "egg" in there already.

 

[lereg]

The usual rule is to have 1 nestbox for every 4 hens -- but people often find that all the birds lay in the same box anyway.

You can try what you've got and see if you get any problems with eggs not in the box, broken eggs, etc..

Thanks! I've read that, but not sure on 2 extra.