Another Nest Box Question..

[mommto3kiddos]

I have 5 RSL & TT egg layers & I will be mixing in 3 small Bantam girls ( I mean these girls are going to be baseball/softball size full grown) in about 3 weeks. I was going to do 3 (13"x13") nest boxes, but I was wondering if the bantam chicks will share nest boxes with the bigger/older girls?? Do I need to add more nest boxes or maybe smaller ones?

Also do nest boxes HAVE to be off the ground in the coop?? Or can I build them and set them on the coop floor??
- Thanks

 

[mommto3kiddos]

Bumping for any ideas

 

[crossgirl]

I hope you get an answer to both questions because I need to know too. I have 2 RIR and 4 banties.

 

[schellie69]

All my nest boxes are the same size the bantams use the same one's as my standard hens. They can each have their own nest box and they all want the one that the other hen has. I have mine off the floor to save floor space since they do spend time in the coop in the winter. In the new coop there are 4 nest boxes that open from the outside right now they are using old milk crates cut at an angle and hung on the side of the coop.

 

[ozark hen]

I have nesting boxes on the floor and up. The bottom ones are shared with my silkie hens. In fact, right now I have a cochin hen and a silkie hen in the same nesting box and they have been together for two weeks. I also had a full size hen and another silkie hatch two chicks. Big hen made the silkie bald on one side of her head due to fighting over who was going to raise these chicks

I gave one chick to each hen and separated them I wish my floor nesting boxes were about six inches or so off the ground so I would raise them a bit for the little ones.