The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Justin on January 15, 2016, 09:49:45 am
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We now have 10 chickens in the house, so it's pretty much full. There are 4 nest boxes, 2 on each side of the house but, for some reason, the chickens only ever use the two on one side. As these are our first chickens, I've no idea if that's normal or why they might only use one side in preference to the other. Any thoughts?
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If the nest boxes are identical (not one side much darker than the other side for example) then it's just one of those 'chicken things'. They develop a preference or habit but might easily swap sides, too. Funny lot, chickens :)
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I find hens are good at copying each other's behaviour, including choice of nest box. When one hen manages to find an escape route under the wire fence of the run very soon several others follow suit. When one decides to flutter over the fence, before you know it several will start doing the same.
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My bunch like to nest in the same box even though there are 4. As they have free range of the place when the weather is bad I have found eggs in the stables among the hay or even in the ponies bed.
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My chickens would only use one of the nesting boxes out of three they had.. I was always told they would use the darkest one out of the way. Well my lot used the one right in front of the run next to the door lol. :chook: :chook: :chook:
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Nest boxes? We DREAM of our hens using nest boxes full stop, let alone certain ones! ;D
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same here, they used to use the nest box then after coming back into lay after hatching a brood they now all lay behind the rabbit hutch on the floor or in an old hamster cage which was left in their shed one time! ::)
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You could try putting some pot eggs in the unused ones as a hint.
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Thanks for all the replies, good to know it's just a 'chicken thing' and nothing to be worried about.
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They will tend to lay where another has laid before them, so put an egg or two in the other boxes and they may use them - they can sometimes double up squeezing themselves into a favourite box rather than using a vacant one. Often they will tend to favour the most secluded box - the one furthest from the door for example. If you really want them to use the other boxes then make them more 'hidden' by raising the sides or making the front entrance just big enough for them to get in. Laying an egg is very important to a hen, they like their privacy!