4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[enpekt]

We have six choox who, after three weeks seem to have settled in OK.

 

Only one is laying at present.

 

Having read a couple of books, one recommends a number of nesting boxes, not one for each hen, but more than one.

 

In a cube, do the girls take turns, or can they communally lay?

I imagine from observation there won't be many occasions when more than two will be ready to lay at a given hour, but can any experienced eggers throw some light please?

[binka]

I have 7 layers, currently in a wooden coop but very similar size to a cube and when I had it made I got it with 2 nesting boxes. I shouldn't have bothered getting the extra box as they only use one. Seem to take it in turns.

[laurmurf]

they tend to queue up but if we get a desperate hen she'll join her whoever is laying in the nest box. We've never had more than 2 laying in the box, but we've had a desperate third waiting to get in, as well as an even more desperate pullet laying in the run.

[JEAN]

I have seen 3 in the nesting box all at once but largely they take it in turns.

[BeckyBoo]

Hi, I've got loads of hens, 13 sleep in the cube regularyl, two more stay outside. Of those 9 are "layers" although 2 are bantams and breeds so are not back from their "winter break" , 2 are ex-batts and the other 5 are just freeloaders and lay when they can be bothered! In the summer I had 12 laying hens and they took it in turns, if one was REALLY desperate sometimes she laid in the run or on the roosting bars, but mostly I would open the nest to find a lovely little pile of eggs. Now I'm lucky if I get 2 or 3 a day! (I've threatened them with the pot but I think they're fairly sure it's an idle threat )

 

BeckyBoo

[Egluntyne]

All 16 of mine pile into the cube at night. They are in a walk in run so they have plenty of room and there appear to be no issues re the nestbox.

[LJ's Chooks]

Ours typically take it in turns, unless one is desparate.

 

all the eggs are normally in one corner.... so not sure why those lovely people at omlet made it so large

[moochoo]

I've got 11 girls in my cube. The most I've seen laying at one time is 4 but it was rather a squeeze. Silly girls! The nest box can easily accomodate 3 laying together.

[bringmesunshine]

Mine take it in turns but at night my Buff Orpington cockerel sleeps in the Cube next box! Gave me a bit of a shock when I shut them up late one night and put my hand in to check for any eggs!! He was rather surprised as well!