nest boxes

[poultrygeist]

I read on hear that 2 nest boxes would suffice for 6 chickens, so I took 2 of the four out for added space. That was fine when only 2 of six were laying! Now that 4 of six are laying they are really fighting for one of the boxes, ignoring the other. I have a web cam in there so I can see the fights. Our barred rock got ticked off while trying to lay as our white rock tried to barge in on her so she promptly dragged her out buy the scruff of her neck. They wouldn't actually harm one an other over a nest box would they?

 

[fordmommy]

The standard says 1 box for 4 chickens. BUT...I have 1 chicken that WILL NOT let anyone else in her box. I think in your case I wold put at least on box back in.

 

[thechickenwife]

We made a community nest box and they seem to like it. It fits 2 girls at one time. Now if I can get them to stop roosting in the opening.

 

[poultrygeist]

Just took the divider out of nest box 1 and added nest box 2 ( less divider ) directly over nest box 1. No more bickering and 2 more eggs.

 

[DillardHome]

I have 7 nest boxes for my 5 laying hens. But for some reason they all 5 want to lay in the same box, they will even wait in a line if one is using it.

They haven't fought it out but words have been exchanged

I had one hen (the white one) who got tired of waiting for another to finish so she squeezed her way into the box and got comfy while the hen who was originally in there seemed to be shocked that the other actually came in there too.

Must be a special box

 

[cmom]

Mine do that too. For some reason they seem to prefer certain nest boxes.