A method includes determining whether an encoded data slice (EDS) of an “x” number of EDSs associated with a set of EDSs requires rebuilding, where the “x” number of EDSs is stored in a set of storage units of the storage network and the encoded data slice is stored in a first storage unit of the set of storage units. When the encoded data slice requires rebuilding, the method continues by identifying one of a “z” number of EDSs to replace the encoded data slice, where the “z” number of EDSs are not currently stored in the set of storage units. The method continues by constructing the one of the “z” number of EDSs from a decode threshold number of EDSs of the “x” number of EDSs and sending the one of the “z” number of EDSs to a second storage unit of the set of storage units.