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What else can I help you with?
Will laying hens automaticaly use the nesting boxes?
Most hens prefer to lay their eggs in private, in a small enclosed area near to their roost. They have a natural instint to 'nest' and will almost always use the nesting box provided. Sometimes a hen might seem a bit lost as to what to do, so a false egg or a golf ball can be put in the nesting box as a 'hint' for them.
Why does my broody chicken sit on nothing?
When hens are broody they are not 'themselves'. Try taking her off the nest and putting her in a cage, somewhere she is isolated from the other hens and also where there is no nesting box. That always works well for my hens.
Do roosters use a nesting box?
No The only time I have seen a rooster in a nesting box was when it was sick or injured. The nesting boxes are used for "nesting". Laying eggs or when brooding. The roosters do not do this. If you have a rooster doing this there is something wrong. He is either being harassed by another rooster in the flock or he is hurt or sick. It is easier to protect themselves from harm when in a "sheltered" place.
Hen that lays on the floor instead of in the nesting box?
I have found you can build the finest nesting boxes in the world, but hens are like kids, you buy them that expensive Christmas gift and they spend two weeks playing in the box. Hens will lay where they feel comfortable. Half mine uses the nesting boxes 10 or so use the floor and I have one that lays in an old tennis shoe my son threw in the pen. Go figure!
How many chickens per laying box?
In some flocks as many as 10 hens or more will use a single laying box or nest. Depending on the size of the box it is not uncommon to see two birds nesting at the same time otherwise they will wait their turn and deposit an egg right after the box is vacated.
How many nest per chicken?
On average, a chicken will lay their eggs in a shared nesting box with other chickens. Providing one nesting box for every 4-5 hens is usually sufficient to avoid overcrowding and promote comfortable laying conditions.
Where do hens lay eggs when they first start laying?
generally, for the first few times, the egg will be laid in random places, then as they get into a routine, the hen will lay in the nesting box
Will two different hens lay their eggs in the same place?
Most hens have a preference as to where they lay their eggs. If a broody hen takes over the communal nest then the other hens will find a new spot to lay. It is always a good idea in a small flock to provide alternate nesting boxes just for this reason. When one hen goes broody, the other hens do not go off laying. If you are missing eggs, it is quite likely that the brood hen is taking what she can find to her own clutch.
What do hens lay eggs best in?
Quiet, dark, well lined nesting boxes with one entrance so the hen can ward off other hens wishing to lay an egg in the same box at the same time. The hen needs to relax and lay her egg and while some hens will lay anywhere, most hens like to hide the egg from other members of the flock.
Are nest box required?
NO. Hens will lay anywhere but nesting boxes are the easy way for you to find the eggs. A hen will even drop her egg in a mud puddle if she cannot find a soft warm place to hide her eggs.
Do hens live in lair or pen or shelf?
Domesticated chicken hens live in a coop or pen. They need to forage during the day and have shelter, roosting and nesting areas from dusk to sunrise.
How to prepare nesting box?
put cotton or sticks in it, and you can even buy nesting supplies at a pet store.
