Can I put nesting boxes on the floor?

[5 Points Wingfeather]

My pullets are about to start laying so I’m about to add a few nesting boxes.

1. I have 7 girls. Do I need 2 or 3 boxes?
2. Is it ok if I put the boxes on the floor of the coop? The coop itself is 4 feet off the ground so in a sense they would still be laying up high a little bit.

 

[swamphiker]

Hi there!

For 7 hens, 2 boxes should be sufficient. Nothing wrong with putting the nesting boxes on the coop floor; in fact they will be less likely to sleep in the nesting boxes if the roosts are higher than the nesting boxes.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

My two favorite boxes are on the floor. Personally I would do 4, but my girls really, really hate sharing so it's more me trying to prevent arguments than a good ratio

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

My two favorite boxes are on the floor. Personally I would do 4, but my girls really, really hate sharing so it's more me trying to prevent arguments than a good ratio

I have a 4ft space that I could easily put three boxes into. I have bigger breeds (Orpingtons, Wyandottes) so I don’t want to make them too small

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have a 4ft space that I could easily put three boxes into. I have bigger breeds (Orpingtons, Wyandottes) so I don’t want to make them too small

If they get along normally then 2 is probably fine (you can make them nice and large too then). My girls tend to throw their weight around a lot in general

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

Do I put a little half front on them to keep in the straw and eggs and make it easy for the birds to get in and out or do I make them a perfect box like a milk crate with a full front

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Do I put a little half front on them to keep in the straw and eggs and make it easy for the birds to get in and out or do I make them a perfect box like a milk crate with a full front

That's what we did and the free flock also seems to prefer those nests for brooding. I think they know the eggs will roll out otherwise

 

[5 Points Wingfeather]

That's what we did and the free flock also seems to prefer those nests for brooding. I think they know the eggs will roll out otherwise

You did the half front or the full front ?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You did the half front or the full front ?

About 2 inches on the front was blocked on the bottom

 

[3KillerBs]

2 boxes should be fine, but 3 would spread out the layer line-up a little more.

I don't want nest boxes on the floor because I have a bad back and don't want to have to stand on my head to collect eggs.

Also, if the nests are on the floor you can get messy bedding kicked into them.