They all want one box

[FunnyBunny89]

Hi all! I know this is a common issue but I was wondering if anyone could advise me on my specific nesting box layout. 7 of my hens just started laying over the past two weeks, and they are all picking one nest which is causing traffic jams I have a row of 7 nesting boxes for a total of 14 hens; the boxes sit a few inches above the sand floor, and are set back in the coop so they don't take up any space; Each box has 1-2 nesting pads in it that I keep clean; one other box has been used twice, but no more and not since the last time.

The one they all like is in the left corner of the row. The other one they used is two boxes in from the right.

Should I change anything or just wait it out?

 

[FunnyBunny89]

For fun, here's what it looks like with the eggs. *thankfully, none of my hens are broody thus far!

 

[The Coop Crew]

I haven’t seen a solution for this yet
As long as they aren’t fighting or it isn’t causing problems I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
It cracks me up every time I read about hens doing this lol

 

[FunnyBunny89]

I haven’t seen a solution for this yet
As long as they aren’t fighting or it isn’t causing problems I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
It cracks me up every time I read about hens doing this lol

Ugh, I know, me either! But everyone has different nest layouts and I was just *hoping* someone might have some wisdom I am lacking lol. What got me a little worried is that my Australorp named Midnight had just laid her first egg and looked pretty exhausted and stressed out when I found her; Beatrice, who was waiting for the nest, was standing right in front of Midnight with her head leaned in, motionless. It appeared a little intimidating, so I moved her to the other box where she settled long enough for Midnight to cool down and leave, at which point Beatrice immediately went to the now vacant box.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

I haven’t seen a solution for this yet
As long as they aren’t fighting or it isn’t causing problems I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
It cracks me up every time I read about hens doing this lol

I guess I'll just have to figure it out if they start fighting over it, huh?

 

[aart]

Put a fake egg or two in each nest, that should help spread the love.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Ugh, I know, me either! But everyone has different nest layouts and I was just *hoping* someone might have some wisdom I am lacking lol. What got me a little worried is that my Australorp named Midnight had just laid her first egg and looked pretty exhausted and stressed out when I found her; Beatrice, who was waiting for the nest, was standing right in front of Midnight with her head leaned in, motionless. It appeared a little intimidating, so I moved her to the other box where she settled long enough for Midnight to cool down and leave, at which point Beatrice immediately went to the now vacant box.

Ohhhh. Hopefully they will start to use the other ones with the advice given here! My hens haven’t started laying yet so I haven’t experienced this personally but I have read about it a lot.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

Put a fake egg or two in each nest, that should help spread the love.

Okay I'll try that. I tried it before but only one hen was laying for a long time so I quit. Maybe I just did it too soon.

 

[aart]

Okay I'll try that. I tried it before but only one hen was laying for a long time so I quit. Maybe I just did it too soon.

I leave them in...for 10+ years now.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

I leave them in...for 10+ years now.

Oh man! Okay, great to know here I'm thinking they're only meant for temp use.