There's a backup in the chicken coop - HELP!

[juleedis]

My coop is more than adequate for my 4 egg laying hens, but the problem is, where 1 lays an egg, they ALL must lay an egg.

My Cochin is very bossy and pushes others out of the spot-of-the-day. The problem is, my Marans alpha hen won't move for her so my Cochin has started to peck at the Marans' comb to get her to move.

I've noticed bloody patches on my Marans' comb before, but I thought she'd just gotten caught on something. This weekend, I found 2 very bloody chickens in my coop, and I realized it was my Cochin doing the damage. I'm sure it's very bad for my poor Marans hen, and I don't want my Cochin, who is already broody, to terrorize the other hens.

I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions?

 

[Beekissed]

Pinless peepers....around $6 for 10, I do believe someone stated. Says they really work.

 

[sherylreno]

Chickens like to lay their eggs where another chicken has already laid. If you place fake eggs, like plastic Easter eggs and such, then they will start laying in the other boxes. I put 1 plastic EE in each box and now they lay in all of them and there's no waiting in line anymore.

I do have a hen that will only lay in the same box no matter what's in the other boxes.

 

[gickelvolk]

sherylreno is correct!

We have 6 hens laying and they ALL want that ONE box.......

That was until Mrs. put fake eggs in the other nesting boxes...... Now we only get the occasional traffic jam.

 

[juleedis]

Great suggestions everyone, thanks! I love the pinless peepers with the google eyes but I think I'll try out fake eggs for now. Cheers everyone!