i have 8 laying boxes and they are just built with ply wood. I arranged them all together and foru on top and rest bottom. Not that it holds true but my hens have no problem laying in any of the boxes as long as i have hay in em but they seem to like the top ones the best. I don't have a perch in front of them but my perch for them when they go in for the night is on top of the boxes. Don't know if this is helpful but it is all I know.