X2 I have found that 1 box per 4 hens was not enough in my flock and I had waiting lines and of course the broodies that like to hog up boxes. So I have 1 box per every 2 birds. My birds don't seem to picky about which box they lay in, however they will avoid a box that does not have a fake or real egg in it. I keep a fake egg in every box. Lets the hens know it is safe to lay in any of the boxes.Even though it's the general rule to provide one nest for every 4-5 hens as Sumi said^ I highly go against this rule. In my opinion you should provide one nest for every 2 hens so there are no sqabbles. If there aren't enough nests then the hens will lay in the same box together at the same time resulting in egg breakage, stressed hens and dirtier nest boxes. So it's up to you but if you want a peaceful henhouse then provide one nest for every 2 hens you keep.
Welcome to BYC by the way!!
and Welcome To BYC! Some good advice above. Community next boxes can work, but it seems like sooner or later you get a bossy hen that doesn't like to share and you get floor eggs... if you have access to cardboard boxes, they make nice nests, that is about all I use, you can also put them in the wooden boxes as liners, makes things easy to clean, just toss the cardboard. 1/4 or so is about the minimum you want and it never hurts to have extra nest boxes, even if the hens don't use them... and if you have some hens that are box hogs or broody you will want extra boxes for sure. I like to have fake eggs in every box also. Free range hens especially like to "hide" nests, that is if they aren't locked in a coop run they will lay them in other places they find attractive (like the horse feeders), so if you have that problem putting out "fake" nests that they will find attractive to hide eggs in often works, you just collect the eggs like you do a regular nesting box (old dog houses, 5 gal buckets, barrels etc).
