We have 25 heavy-breed hens (well, we will once they stop being chicks
), and after reading many of you say your hens all favor one nest box, I decided to do 2 community nest boxes. They will each be 33" wide, 16" deep and 13" high. The lowest one will be 10" off the floor (but outside, so it takes up no floor space). It's the equivalent of 6 11x16x13 boxes, just without the dividers. It will open from the outside of the coop with cabinet-like doors (there will be a lip on the front and back of each to prevent egg rollout). I haven't planned any perches or anything. The chickens will have to get themselves up about 2' off the floor to get to the top box (less if you are counting the boost they'll get from the height of their pellet bedding).
Does that sound like enough? My best friend has 15 hens and they all lay in an old 3' feed trough full of hay that's just plopped on the floor of the barn. I figure if that's all they know, that's what they'll use. Anyone think of anything I haven't? I'm still new at all of this.
), and after reading many of you say your hens all favor one nest box, I decided to do 2 community nest boxes. They will each be 33" wide, 16" deep and 13" high. The lowest one will be 10" off the floor (but outside, so it takes up no floor space). It's the equivalent of 6 11x16x13 boxes, just without the dividers. It will open from the outside of the coop with cabinet-like doors (there will be a lip on the front and back of each to prevent egg rollout). I haven't planned any perches or anything. The chickens will have to get themselves up about 2' off the floor to get to the top box (less if you are counting the boost they'll get from the height of their pellet bedding).Does that sound like enough? My best friend has 15 hens and they all lay in an old 3' feed trough full of hay that's just plopped on the floor of the barn. I figure if that's all they know, that's what they'll use. Anyone think of anything I haven't? I'm still new at all of this.
