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New Member
 
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Last Login: 5/14/2011 3:11:45 PM
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We have built a small, mobile chicken house with 7 boxes for the 24 hens to lay in. We have Storey's Guide to Poultry, and in the book it says 4-5 hens per box. So we should have plenty of boxes for everybody. My question is what should I do about the fact that everybody seems to want to use the same 2 boxes? Most all of the eggs are in 2 boxes and then it is like if those are in use they lay on the floor, when there are empty boxes sitting there? Is there anything I can do to make them lay in all of the boxes? What have other people found to be the best form of nesting material? I can't keep the shavings or the straw in there, they just scratch it out as quickly as I put it in there.
Thanks!
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Advanced Member
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:38:37 AM
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| That's one reason why we did not put dividers up in the nest boxes. In summer/spring/fall they lay in the lower box where the air circulates and they stay cool while on the nest. They ALL lay there eggs in that one spot. In winter they get in the mineral tub that I turned upside down and cut a hole for them to get in with small holes drilled on top for venting. They use it in the winter to keep their heat. Who says chickes don't have working brains? Boy it's sure is eaiser to pick eggs in one place instead of easter egg hunting 365 all over the place. Best advice is to pick the eggs up and put in them in the unused boxes.
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Average Member
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Last Login: 2/9/2012 7:38:24 PM
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| I have 5 boxes for 14 hens. I find the same thing, they seem to use only 3 boxes. I have a one that lays in the pup tent I made for shade, and every once and awhile find an egg under the perch. I did notice yesterday one of the unused boxes was used, they were smaller eggs so I am going to assume that it is the newer hens laying there. (I guess I don't worry too much about it) I put wood shavings in mine, I have a 2.5" lip on the front and it seems to keep the shavings in. They push it around and kick out most of the bigger pieces of shavings, but haven't had any other problems. (the last box that they are just begining to use is the one with the newer shavings in it)
Livin to learn
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Advanced Member
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Last Login: 2 days ago @ 6:38:37 AM
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| Hey J thanks for mentioning the lip. I had to get hubby to go back and add osb strips to the front because the bar would allow the newbies eggs to fall/roll out because of their size.
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Junior Member
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| I have 6 boxes but only 8 hens. The boxes are all 16"square with a 3" lip and filled with straw. I place a golf ball in each box. All the boxes are used although maybe not in the same day. Some days there are 3 or 4 eggs in one box and singles or doubles in the other boxes. The next day may have eggs in all boxes or maybe only a box or two is used. I have seen no pattern and never know which boxes will be used. I guess it's up to the girls moods each day. Ken
Deep in the South Carolina Lowcountry
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/27/2010 5:26:34 PM
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| The golf ball is a good trick. You can even go to the hobby store and buy the wooden eggs and paint them white. Either way...good trick to use.
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Junior Member
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| I've had the same problem with hens all laying in one box. In my case it was the bottom box closest to their feed and roost. They were just lazy. I have 15 hens coming into production right now and I think I'll try the fake egg technique to get them to lay in more boxes. In my new chicken house the next box is facing the roost and feeder straight on so no one box is closer to the other areas of chicken activity.
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 12/8/2010 5:25:50 AM
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| I have bout 50 or 60 hens. but only 20 or so should be laying. they have the run of the property but i might only find a cpl eggs in the nest boxes which is 40 hole box i think then i might find 5 eggs in the old wood pile. I put the plastic eggs from easter egg hunting in the nest box. it seems like they work for a while till they try to break them open or lay on them then they open up then find them on the ground. I dont know why i am not finding alot more. waqlk the yard and woods might find a nes of 10 or 12 eggs once a month but should still have alot more eggs :(
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Average Member
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Last Login: 2/9/2012 7:38:24 PM
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| Even if they aren't broody, I would think "nature" would cause them to want to lay where there is more than one egg. The mothering instinct. Like when you put the "fake" eggs in the nest they will go to where there is already an egg. The 'gathering" of eggs. Just a thought as to why there would be more eggs in fewer boxes.
Livin to learn
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New Member
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Last Login: 5/14/2011 3:11:45 PM
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| Thanks for the great responses! Here is what I have tried so far. I have read how they like "dark", "safe" places, well, I put two windows in the coop that is too much light, so I covered over those windows. I also added another board across the front of the nesting boxes. It looks like they would barely be able to get in, but they do. I had also painted the inside of the coop white. I am going to paint it a dark color this weekend. Since I have done those two things they have started to spread out a little better. Hopefully with the painting they will do even better.
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