Nest preference

[Norman Gaggini]

I have a string of 6 laying boxes (one unit). The right hand end is in a corner of the coop. Why is it that they only will lay in this one and the one next to it. They will not lay in the other 4 boxes. I have found as many as three hens stacked in that end box trying to lay their eggs. Should I block off the first two from the right and force them to lay in the other boxes?

 

[sourland]

Chickens like the nests they feel are most secure, and for sure like the nest someone else is using.

 

[Etorb1]

I had this problem at first too. I put up curtains with some scrap fabric and it helped them feel more secure I. The other boxes. They still have favorites but now they are using 3/5 boxes instead of just 1.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Welcome! If they prefer a box, don't block it off.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Second^ I've had hens that laid in the run after we tried to make them use different ones.

They just feel safest in those two boxes

 

[MykaMom]

I have a string of 6 laying boxes (one unit). The right hand end is in a corner of the coop. Why is it that they only will lay in this one and the one next to it. They will not lay in the other 4 boxes. I have found as many as three hens stacked in that end box trying to lay their eggs. Should I block off the first two from the right and force them to lay in the other boxes?

Try putting curtains on your box strip. They may like the privacy the two farthest boxes offer. The Chicken Chick recommends them.

 

[aart]

Put a fake egg in each nest, that should 'spread the love',
has worked well here for 7 years now.
Not to say there won't be a 'favorite of the day', usually the first one to be laid in....
...or that there won't ever be traffic jams or squabbles over a certain nest.
If you gather eggs frequently and leave the single fakie in each nest,
it should continue to 'spread the love' all day.