Buliding nest boxes, how much is enough???

[k2chickens]

we are anticipateing at least 8 hen's of the 12 young chicks we have now. How many nest boxes would be appropriate for 6 to 8 hen's??

I was going to add them on to the Coop we just bought today. I was thinking 3 boxes on each side......is this too many or not enough??

 

[Imp]

asylum11,
For 6-8 hens 2 nest boxes should be enough, more is OK.

Imp

 

[schmije]

You'd probably be fine with 2 boxes (total) but 3 would be good.

When we had 11 layers, we had 4 boxes, and they'd put about 7 eggs in a single box each day. Ours only use the extra boxes if the 'good' box is occupied.

 

[giasmom]

1 1/2 boxes.

I've got 7 hens, 15 boxes & everyday I go out and there is 1 hen on top of the other hen in the same box trying to lay their eggs. Also I have watched them stand in line for that same one box ! All the boxes are exactly the same, so go figure. Next time I will just make one box but double the size.

 

[Imp]

I only have 4 hens, with 3 bucket nests. They won't share. I find 1 egg in each nest, and if there is a fourth egg its outside a bucket.

Imp-I think they don't like each others decorating.

 

[Kitchenella]

I have 3 hens and one large nest box made from a cardboard carton that sits on the foor of the coop. They all use it and often there are two in it at a time.

Peggy

 

[sandy sea]

Have 18 hens which only used 3 boxes even though I had 6 nest boxes.

 

[al6517]

2 is enough.

 

[Teresaann24]

2 is fine but you will prob find out they will perfer the same box to lay in.

 

[jjdward]

I have 25 hens and they only use 3 or 4. Who knows?