Nest boxes

[Aunt Angus]

I pulled out the nest box since they were not using it.

I really Want to get them using a roll away nest box so I can do some creative egg management. At the moment I pretty much have to collect eggs each day which I am trying to avoid. They are laying between 13 to 17 eggs each day which fills up real quick.

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I collect eggs 2x/day. And I have 11 hens who only use 2 of my 5 boxes. Lately, they have been laying in the ducks' nests on the ground if their fave box is occupied.

But I hear great things about roll away nests!

 

[aart]

At the moment I pretty much have to collect eggs each day which I am trying to avoid.

Why?
Best to check on your birds, and their feed and water, at least twice a day.
I gather up all the eggs when I lock up just after dark.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Even though we know things like they're trying to find a spot that is private and safe, etc. you just can't for sure know what goes on in their brains when selecting which box to lay in. Things I've learned along the way are that they want it just right. They don't want sun shining in their faces, yet they don't want the darkest point in the coop. They don't want to get up high, yet they don't prefer the floor, etc. etc. Due to expanding my coop twice, I've tried to switch them from old boxes to the nicest, newer, more attractive to ME boxes on the other side of the coop and nothing doing, even when I removed the old boxes they layed eggs right where they used to be. So I had to add them back. Bottom line, I just think it's futile to try to train them to "spread them out amongst all boxes." If you're successful however, PLEASE do share what you learned, I for one would be really interested in that. Good luck!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Even though we know things like they're trying to find a spot that is private and safe, etc. you just can't for sure know what goes on in their brains when selecting which box to lay in. Things I've learned along the way are that they want it just right. They don't want sun shining in their faces, yet they don't want the darkest point in the coop. They don't want to get up high, yet they don't prefer the floor, etc. etc. Due to expanding my coop twice, I've tried to switch them from old boxes to the nicest, newer, more attractive to ME boxes on the other side of the coop and nothing doing, even when I removed the old boxes they layed eggs right where they used to be. So I had to add them back. Bottom line, I just think it's futile to try to train them to "spread them out amongst all boxes." If you're successful however, PLEASE do share what you learned, I for one would be really interested in that. Good luck!

I've moved my nesting boxes all over the place. They still use them, no matter where I put them. I just recently raised them, and they still use them. They just have their favorites. Sometimes, the favorites change. They just don't use all of them.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I've moved my nesting boxes all over the place. They still use them, no matter where I put them. I just recently raised them, and they still use them. They just have their favorites. Sometimes, the favorites change. They just don't use all of them.

Oh that really is interesting to me. So you're saying it's the box itself they are fond of and not location first? I've never experienced that but I'm going to think about it now!

 

[Iluveggers]

If you're lucky, they will at least use the two favored boxes One At A Time. In a couple of my coops, one of two things happens. Either the second girl in stands in front of the box and screams at the girl already inside. Or, girl number two simply sits on top of the first hen.

One of my Buckeyes has decided to avoid nest boxes altogether. She simply remains on the lower roost and -- bombs away! Her eggs fail into the "poop hammock" -- an easily removable-for-cleaning tarp hung under the roosts. Good news is her eggs don't break when they hit the tarp. Bad news is -- well you can guess how nasty they are.

I would love to see a pic of your poop hammock

 

[junior67]

Mine are funny with each having a favorite box. Most times only 1 uses the middle box. I do have a couple that swap boxes but for the most part each have a box that they like. They also do NOT like anyone else in the coop when they are laying (or in another nest box even if it isn't the one they use). They will pace in and out forever until they can't wait any more then finally give up and go to their box. For the first time the other day I had one climb in with another one. Haahaa I have 7 girls and 3 boxes.

 

[Broxi]

I currently have 10 hens and 6 nest boxes. Mostly they use two nest boxes, but they will rotate which two they like on any given day. I know it seems like a lot of boxes, but when I was having it built I wanted to account for chicken math. I've got 16 coming in May and I'll see if they start using the other ones or if they still just like two at a time LOL. I have a 4 plex-two up and two down, and a duplex-one up and one down. They mostly seem to like the upper two on the quad.

 

[TRALALARA1]

I have six hens. I have three nest boxes. They all try to use the same one. They will occasionally use a different one but it’s extremely rare. The other day I caught three hens all trying to use the same box at the same time! Usually they just scream bloody murder and wait their turn but no, not this day. I happened to catch a picture of it. I’ll have to post it from my phone. pic to follow

 

[TRALALARA1]

I have six hens. I have three nest boxes. They all try to use the same one. They will occasionally use a different one but it’s extremely rare. The other day I caught three hens all trying to use the same box at the same time! Usually they just scream bloody murder and wait their turn but no, not this day. I happened to catch a picture of it. I’ll have to post it from my phone. pic to follow