What is the point of three nest boxes, when they only use one?

[kimboolah]

Should I just take the others out of there? Honestly, 13 chickens, 8 or 9 laying right now, no roos and they all lay in the same corner of the same box. The other boxes they just hang out in and poop. I cleaned them all out today, new straw, etc. but if we don't NEED three, then is it ok to take the others out of there? Or should I leave them but lower them so they can snug up in them in the winter time? (they will have a warming lamp when it gets below 10F). ugh. Three perfectly nice nesting boxes and one favorite.

 

[Reinbeau]

I've got 14 hens and four nest boxes, they all like the first one, but they will lay in the others. You need that many boxes for that number of birds. Are your girls young still? Mine started to use the other boxes as they got a bit older (and bigger! Have you watched one push the other out? Pretty funny!)

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

We have 16 boxes for an average of 50 hens and they all want to use the bottom 2. They will even sit doubled up in them. A hen will go to the most remote, dark or quietest box to feel the most protected while she lays. We started using plastic totes with a hole cut in the end and a bit of straw inside as a substitute for the nest boxes. Seems to work much better in our breeding pens and we will do the same in our hen house soon. (Too many other projects at the moment) Being plastic and light weight, they are easy to take out and clean, just lift the lid to get at the eggs and if you have a broody they feel more secure and it is easy to move them along with the nest and eggs if need be.

 

[kimboolah]

Yes, I have watched them push each other out of "the spot". I wil keep the other ones as is and hope they learn to use them. I just went out and got three pretty brown eggs, so who cares, really!!!!!