Coop vents/roosts/nesting boxes

[sawilliams]

Mine that I'm building right now is an 8x8 shed that we are modifying. 10 hens currently with plans to add. My prior was only about 4x6 and houses 14 hens at my max, but 12 did better in those dimentions for us. Our temps are about 20-120 so heat so more three worry here. Sad long as there is open access to the chicken yard i think 8 would be fine and you can do boxes on the ground for more roost space

 

[fightingbunny]

Why do the nest boxes have to be off the floor? I thought lower was better as they like to sleep higher, but lay eggs lower? I have a 4x8 coop as well and I was planning on running nest boxes along the 4' wall at ground level and then poop tray/roost bars above them along the 8' wall. So the poop tray is at 15" above floor and the roost bar at 24". My coop is 4' tall so that should give a foot tall chicken an entire foot of air above her head.

 

[sawilliams]

Why do the nest boxes have to be off the floor? I thought lower was better as they like to sleep higher, but lay eggs lower? I have a 4x8 coop as well and I was planning on running nest boxes along the 4' wall at ground level and then poop tray/roost bars above them along the 8' wall. So the poop tray is at 15" above floor and the roost bar at 24". My coop is 4' tall so that should give a foot tall chicken an entire foot of air above her head.

I think it's so three is less chance of then confussing the floor and the nests, if the nests ate on the ground and don't have enough out a front edge they will kick all the bedding out and might make nests else where

 

[jhall1255]

Hi hopefully I can get some help on this thread. (It won't let me post my own yet ) I have 6 hens and a roosting bar outside and one inside the coop. They are made from branches. I have 3 nesting boxes (will be 4) and they are off the ground in a table like hold that I made for the boxes. My problem is they use the var in the run all the time but never use the one in the coop. They ALWAYS roost on the dang nesting boxes so the nesting boxes keep getting pooped in constantly. I thought the bar was to low so I raised it. Now some use it here and there but rarely still. Any suggestions?? They are only 12 weeks old so not laying eggs. Any help is appreciated

 

[sawilliams]

View attachment 1081764 View attachment 1081765 View attachment 1081766 View attachment 1081767 Hi hopefully I can get some help on this thread. (It won't let me post my own yet ) I have 6 hens and a roosting bar outside and one inside the coop. They are made from branches. I have 3 nesting boxes (will be 4) and they are off the ground in a table like hold that I made for the boxes. My problem is they use the var in the run all the time but never use the one in the coop. They ALWAYS roost on the dang nesting boxes so the nesting boxes keep getting pooped in constantly. I thought the bar was to low so I raised it. Now some use it here and there but rarely still. Any suggestions?? They are only 12 weeks old so not laying eggs. Any help is appreciated

Take the roost out of the run, they don't need it unless you want then sleeping out side. Also 12wk might be a little young to roost, some won't start roosting untill just before then start laying. Given that it isn't entirely normal to wait so long it may depend on if they have a mother to follow. I have had some start roosting as early as 8-10 weeks and others as late as almost 20. Blocking the nests at night may help, also moving the girls to the bars once they settle. But neither is perfect and eventually they will find thier way

 

[jhall1255]

They have had a roosting bar for a long time I had a bar in their brooding box and they all used it. I've read in several places that having a roosting bar in the coop is good. At night their door is closed so they can't get to the roost in the run so I don't see a point in taking it down. I'm going to try blocking the nests at night and see if that works. Thanks