Pullets not laying in nest box and possible bully?

[kcal]

This may be lengthy, but hoping a few will read it all and help me out… Our girls just started laying about a month ago. The first 2 eggs were found on the coop floor (cracked - appeared to have been laid from the roost) and the next 2 were laid in our goat hut, as they share a 50x50 outdoor space with our two goats until I can get our dogs trained not to chase and possibly kill them. I watched them closely for a couple days and relocated the 2 pullets that I found laying to the nest box and they got the hang of it. The rest started following suit when they started laying. However, I have one stubborn girl (a light Brahma) who repeatedly lays from the top roost. I blocked off her favorite roost, but she just laid from the lower one. I’ve relocated her several times when I’ve managed to catch her up there. She settles down for a moment and then hops out. We have one of the “Best Nest Box” brand boxes. I’ve put nest material in it, even blocked her in it with the bar in front that pivots up to keep them out at night. She freaks out and looks like she’s going to break her neck trying to get out.
2 days ago, I put her in the nest box and she got comfy and stayed awhile. I checked back about 15 minutes later because I heard a lot of loud squawking and saw another pullet (black australorp) pacing under the nest box. She hopped in and started pushing the Brahma, climbing over her, and pecking her. The Brahma got up and moved to the opposite end of the nest box and the australorp followed. I shoo’d the australorp out of the nest box, but she continued squawking and the Brahma just got up and left the nest box and went outside. Australorp got in the nest box, paced for a few seconds, then hopped out and went outside. I know she laid earlier in the day because I saw her. When I saw the Brahma come back in the coop, I shut the door so no others could get in. I had blocked off the entire roost area with some fencing, so she got up in the nest box and shortly after laid her egg.
This morning, I had two BO’s in the nest box. I watched the same australorp go in, cause a loud ruckus, then get in the nest box and peck and shove the BO’s until they got tired of it and got up. Australorp hopped back out shortly after the others left. We got the largest nest box (which says it accommodates 45 hens) and we only have 16. I know there’s plenty of space, and it doesn’t matter where the other ones are laying. It seems she’s just trying to control the nest box and not allow the others in it for some reason.
What can I do to help with this? I can block the roosts to keep the one Brahma from laying there and her eggs being cracked, but I think this bully australorp is the problem and blocking the roost isn’t really fixing that issue. Do I need to separate her from everyone else for a bit so she has to start over in the pecking order? If so, what’s the best way to go about that?

 

[aart]

What can I do to help with this?

I'd separate the bully bird for a week.

 

[kcal]

I'd separate the bully bird for a week.

Do you have any suggestions for doing this easily and successfully? I don’t have a separate area to keep her, so will have to put something together. Do I set it up so she is separated but can still see the rest of the flock? What about nighttime and nesting for her, since I obviously don’t have a whole separate coop?
For reference - our coop is a 12x8 shed converted into a coop. Their run is 45’x45’. I can provide photos if needed.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Yes, the best way is to separate her, but still allow her to see everyone. Do you have a large dog crate that you could place into the coop? Pictures can help everyone give you ideas
However you separate her, you can place a dishpan or cardboard box with some bedding in with her for a nest. We built what I think is a nice set of wooden nest boxes for our girls last year. This year we converted a shed and used dishpans attached to a shelf for nest boxes so we could move them into the garage in case of storms. Our older girls immediately abandoned the wooden nest boxes and started using the dishpans
Also is there anyway you could add a divider or two to your nest box? It might make it harder for your bully to kick everyone out.

 

[aart]

Do you have any suggestions for doing this easily and successfully? I don’t have a separate area to keep her, so will have to put something together. Do I set it up so she is separated but can still see the rest of the flock? What about nighttime and nesting for her, since I obviously don’t have a whole separate coop?
For reference - our coop is a 12x8 shed converted into a coop. Their run is 45’x45’. I can provide photos if needed.

Sounds like you have plenty of space, I'd build a separate section of the coop...put up a wire wall with access for you to tend to who ever is in there.