They all lay on top of eachother in nesting box - a hen was hurt.

[lilmama]

Hello:

I have a younger hen who lays soft-shelled eggs. None of my others do and they are all on good laying feed. I think it may be a genetic issue. Not sure. Trying to figure that out.

Anyway, here's my issue: I have two nesting boxes for 4 hens but they all crowd in the same one. Usually there are at least 2 and sometimes 3 of them in there at a time, all on top of eachother. It looks very uncomfortable and dangerous. The hen who lays soft shells was on the bottom of the heap the other day. The next day it was clear she had a broken egg inside her. I have been dealing with that issue as best I can and getting info from the emergency board here on how to care for her. If she survives this, I don't want it to happen again. Anyone have any ideas how I can keep them out of the same nesting box????

Thanks.

 

[teach1rusl]

Put eggs (either fake or real) in the other nest boxes. Chickens seem drawn to lay where there are already eggs...

 

[lilmama]

will do! thanks!!!