Are nesting boxes necessary?

[Flock Master64]

I got a coop and I was wondering if I should put in nesting boxes or not. I started wondering if they were really necessary or not. I mean what's the difference between laying on the coop floor or in a nesting box?

 

[Pork Pie]

I guess nesting boxes reduce time spent egg hunting, they can be filled with soft litter, and hence reduce the chances of egg breakage - more importantly, reduce the potential for egg-eating, the eggs are not covered in poop etc.

Some of my girls prefer to lay in the litter under the nesting boxes. The area is not underneath any roosts, they can make their own nests and its not inconvenient to me. I find accommodating their choices a lot easier than getting all bent outta shape, providing its ok for their welfare and safety.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I got a coop should I put in nesting boxes?
The majoritiy of BYCER's regard nest boxes as necessities or at least improvements but could be considered over kill for some members.

Amount of birds and size of coop being the guiding factors.

Nest boxes
In my nest boxes I fold a feed bag to fit (nest boxes are 1 ft³). When a bag gets soiled; fold a new one; pop out the soiled; pop in the new. Feed bags are a nylon mesh bag.
Frozen poop just peels off in below freezing temperatures and just flakes off in summer when left out in the sun to bake and dry.

I have almost 67 trips around the sun it is the best method I have stumbled upon. I hold the bags in place with two large paper clips on the front lip of the nest boxes.
Make sure the twine is removed from the open end of the bag it can get tangled around your birds.

 

[Flock Master64]

Thanks both of you, I think I'm going to try the bag idea

 

[speedy2020]

I am using card board box like a nest box from Costco. I replaced the box when look beat up. It is much easy to collect the eggs then go look for them.

 

[Flock Master64]

Thanks!