4 chickens = ? nest boxes

[XilverAngel]

I have 4 chickens, 2 RIR and 2 Australorps...how many nest boxes do I need for the coop? And how big should they be? I have no clue about the nest boxes and how big the entire coop should be. Does anyone know a good size for a coop for 4 chickens?

 

[TcherDawn]

http://www.fowlvisions.com/?p=549

mine have a shoe box with nesting material and a wooden one, and all 5 of them use whichever one is in the corner. neat link posted above is from another thread.

 

[obchix]

We started out with six chix, DH built a coop with six nesting boxes. Now have only three (dont ask) but all use only one nesting box. Sometimes all are in there at once. I am going to raise the walls of the boxes as they are only 1.5 inches high and sometimes the eggs miss the nest...

Boxes are approx 12"x12". Good luck!

 

[Nemo]

Quote:
The standard suggestion is one box per four hens, but that's usually for people with a bunch of birds. I would put in two, maybe even three, for four hens. That way, when one decides to sit in a box all day, the others won't be climbing on top of it to get in and lay eggs.

 

[jafo]

4 square feet per bird, so an unobstructed floor space of 16 sq ft = 4x4 floor. One nest box per 4 chickens, if you don't wanna crowd them, do a 6x8 coop, with two nest boxes. They'll be smiling!

 

[cmom]

I have 15 birds using 6 nest boxes they tend to use the same ones.

 

[tcwk]

I say one nest box for 4 birds, you might want to have two just in case one goes broody. Oh and most people recommend 12x12x12 for nest boxes and make sure they are the darkest place in the coop and make sure that they are no higher than your highest roost or they will try to roost in your boxes.

 

[SC_Hugh]

I built two nest boxes for my 4 chickens.

I can't wait until I get some eggs

about 6-8 weeks from eggs

--Hugh

 

[Emzyyy]

I think 2 would be enough, maybe 3 incase you decide to get some more hens or a hen goes broody.

 

[ERnoleGuy]

I am new to this but I know this much as far as the coop size: BUILD IT BIGGER! You are going to want more chickens at some point so make sure you have enough room to expand your flock.