Nest boxes

[Lucylou]

Why do they always want to lay in the same nestbox?
Although there are 2 nestboxes for my chooks to choose from, both identical in size, shape & comfort, they only use one! (The nest box is the kind that's attached to one end of the coup, a rectangle divided in 2) There has only ever been 1 egg in the second box.

Does anyone know the reason for this? I know mine aren't the onky chooks to do this & I doubt its something that happens in nature or is it just because they want what the other one has, like kids :roll:

It just means that they have started to que up to use it :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

hi Lucylou,mine all like the same nest box,so I took the divider out to make it one big one,that way they can use it simultaneously.
As to why they do it,the top hen choses the best spot,so,everyone else wants to also use it.As well as being like kids,or dogs over toys etc.
Mine all sleep in their nest boxes as well,all snuggled up together.

 

[Anne W]

Strange isn't it - if not annoying! Mine do that - rarely use different ones. They used to use the one next to the one they use now but last year one of the chickens died suddenly and I found her in there. I have scrubbed it and disinfected it and they still won't use it so maybe they can still smell it and perhaps that is why they use the same nestbox - because it smells of eggs that have been layed there. :?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there,
Yes, mine do the same. It's a bit like a fashion trend, that particular nestbox is the place to be seen!!
I don't worry too much about it. Like Lydia, I have one long nest box (they still always lay at the same end).
It could be worth putting some false eggs in the places you want to encourage them to lay. It's worth a try.
All the best.

 

[Lucylou]

They are a funny lot aren't they??? Lovely cozy nestboxes of their own & crossing their little legs waiting for 'the' one to become vacant :lol:

My lovely little Campine has started laying beautiful white eggs & because the others trample in with their muddy feet they make them all dirty :roll: Roll on Spring!