Nesting Box question

[Gostivarcb]

I have six hens and until last year they shared two nesting boxes (next to each other) laying equally in both. Now there are four nesting boxes (2 sets exactly the same; the old and the new). Since the new boxes were added the Chix all lay in one box. Mind you not the same box all of the time; it varies with no rhyme or reason. Why do they all lay in the same box? Fickle chickens!

 

[cavemanrich]

Your answer can only be answered by this person when he will switch to chickens.

Spoiler: the one,, the only

But in my assessment of the laying box situation,,,, I only have same observation as you. 6 hens only need one or two boxes anyway.
Many peeps make one communal box, that is a double wide, and many hens do like that arrangement. The oversize box allows more than one chicken to lay at same time. they will still sit side by side.
Only time I seen multiple nesting boxes in use,,,,,, was in LARGE FLOCKS, like 100, and there were about a dozen nests.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Gostivarcb]

Thanks
You too

 

[rosemarythyme]

Normal for all the chickens to want to use 1 or 2 boxes, the guess is they feel safer using a box someone else has used because if it was safe for the other chicken, it must be safe for them too.

I have 3 nest boxes and all get used, but one is clearly the favorite.