Nest Boxes; why do we make a sitting hens job so difficult?

It makes so much sense to try and replicate what hens would do naturally! Thank you so much for this informative article. Please let us know when you publish your book!
Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank you. The book is going very slowly but I intend to contact all thos e who have expressed an interest when its finished.
Thanks for putting your observations down. It has caused me to re-evaluate how I let the hens sit on eggs, and your points are well made. I see know I never thought to put all my observations into one thoughts process about what would work better. Thank you for doing that!
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Tanks for reading the article. If you try the method out let us know how you got on.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
I'm pleased you liked the article. Thank you for reading it.
This has been a very interesting read. I have been trying to figure out a good isolation coop for my broodies coming next spring and I own a bottomless, hinged top 'coop' that is ideally sized for a hen to be able to walk about and do her thing while sitting so I think I will use this on bare ground in the enclosure (has mesh buried 6 inches below the decomposed granite base) so she can build to suit, her own nest! Thank you for taking the time to write this article!
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Shadrach
Shadrach
I'm pleased you liked the article. I've just been trying to build a simpler version of the nest box in the article that I can put in a run. Thankfully the hens have given up on the broody bit for the year I hope, so I'll have time to think a bit more about it.
I would like to introduce a similar system that I could use in a coop.
Thanks for this article and your insight. I really like that you experimented with different things and shared your experience and observations. I've been looking for a reason to ditch the nest boxes and I'm more convinced it's the right thing to do.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank you for reading the article. The type of nestbox for sitting hens I describe in the article isn't practical for many people. However, the way the hens and rosters behave when making a nest is common to all chickens I think, so anythig that can be done to avoid the hard bases we have come to accept as normal must be a good thing for the hen.
Thanks! This all makes good sense!
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You.
Thanks so much for taking the time to observe and share with me! I'm a newbie and don't have the time I'd like to have to watch my brood.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You. I'm lucky. I've had the opportunity to spend more hours with the chickens than I have without.
I just love watching them. They teach me so much.
Helpful for those wanting to use a broody for hatching chicks. I do not know if it would be good for the 95is% of those that will not hatch chicks with a broody
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thanks for reading the article.
I don't know how many readers let their hens hatch compared to those who use incubators. Even so, egg control, which is what the article is basically about is important for laying hens as well. I have two boxes of similar style now and so far no breakages.
I love the comments about the shape of the nest, and the photo of the poor hen with her leg out to the side. I am thinking that perhaps even for a laying hen, a flat bottom may be uncomfortable. I will make changes in my coop.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thanks for reading.
I agree, even laying hens could benefit from being able to scratch a hollow; it's what they natuarally do.
Useful first-hand observations.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You.
Really fabulous observations on nesting behavior and improving hatching outcomes !
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You.
Great info. Thanks for sharing.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank You for reading the article
I've had problems with broodys keeping eggs under them in flat bottom nest boxes but I put extra straw in so they could form a natural dirt bath shaped hole in the nesting material. I even once put a couple inches of sand under the straw and the girls seemed to like it. It could have even helped with holding humidity. It's my opinion this guy is on to something. One can never do enough research into poultry husbandry improvement. We all learn everyday.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank you.
I have only been keeping chickens for 10 months and may try hatching next season. This gives me some good ideas for building my isolation coop. Thank you.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
I would probably build with a bigger run should I do another coop like this.
Excellent and informative article.
I've had several birds go broody, and, now that I think of it, not one has done so in a traditional nesting box. Always in a nice little rounded pit dug into the ground. This article helps me understand why.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
A pit in a coop should mean you won't spend your nights looking for hens that vote with their feet.
Totally agree with the article. Great reminder of what we should do for our hens.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
My hope is more people will try this.
Lots of interesting information,
You are a wealth of knowledge ... who knew??

Good luck with your book , if it reads like this article you will sell lots!
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Thank you. It's not my intention to sell the book. I'll probably publish on the web and possibly charge to cover my costs. If enough people like the book I might see about producing a hardback version for sale. I'm really pleased you liked the article.
I'm planning to let my (constant) broody hatch again this coming year. Last spring "we" only hatched 2 out of 10 eggs. I believe that was due to my interference, as I'm pretty certain she instinctively knew what she was doing. This coming spring I will use this information to set up an area for her nest and then I'll just leave it to Lucy.
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Good luck.
Great article. I'm definitely showing this to my husband. We are retiring the incubator and letting nature do her thing. I have often wondered of a better set up than raised nesting boxes
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Shadrach
Shadrach
Good for you. Incubatores have their place but for most of us mum does it better, given the chance.
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