Cover for nesting boxes???

[Jx2inNC]

Quote:
I'd have to say each box is about 12", I believe. They are all the same size, but I think the wood beams behind some of the boxes just casts shadows and makes some look off-sized.

From the smaller chicks to the large chickens...I believe we have 22.
But, only about 4-5 of those are laying hens. And while they sometimes move around boxes, I usually see eggs in no more than 2-3 boxes, and normally 2+ eggs are in the same box!

Yeah, I suppose they aren't too picky. We just put straw in each box and let them do whatever they want.
About half or so of the chickens are standard, and about the other half banties.
But we've got a large golden sex-link laying, a slightly younger golden sex-link/comet laying, and a Rhode Island Red laying. So the full-size birds seem to fill out the boxes nicely, and maybe that makes them feel more cozy.

Thanks for the compliments!
The avatar is little Rocky, the stranded kitten Julie saved (she can't say no to a little kitty...

)

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
I'd have to say each box is about 12", I believe. They are all the same size, but I think the wood beams behind some of the boxes just casts shadows and makes some look off-sized.

From the smaller chicks to the large chickens...I believe we have 22.
But, only about 4-5 of those are laying hens. And while they sometimes move around boxes, I usually see eggs in no more than 2-3 boxes, and normally 2+ eggs are in the same box!

Yeah, I suppose they aren't too picky. We just put straw in each box and let them do whatever they want.
About half or so of the chickens are standard, and about the other half banties.
But we've got a large golden sex-link laying, a slightly younger golden sex-link/comet laying, and a Rhode Island Red laying. So the full-size birds seem to fill out the boxes nicely, and maybe that makes them feel more cozy.

Thanks for the compliments!
The avatar is little Rocky, the stranded kitten Julie saved (she can't say no to a little kitty...

)

I think we are redoing the nesting boxes this weekend - making them 12x12 at least - not going to worry about the darkness right now i guess - it sounds like most are not too fussy

So, you have 22 chickens and it looks like 12 boxes so 5 boxes might work even when we have more birds... we do not plan on ever having more than 8 for eggs at one time anyway.... If you look at my page we have 2 reds and 3 buff orps and all of them will be big birds - one of them now is a big FAT bird - she is a food monger!
You are welcome for the compliments

Maybe send in the picture of Rocky to fancy feast see if they want to buy it for advertising

it is cute enough....

 

[Jx2inNC]

Quote:
That's great...post pictures of the boxes!
Yeah, you really don't need that many boxes. We got the most eggs I've ever picked up on one day: 5.
If I recall correctly, 2 were in one box, 2 in another, and 1 in a third. And that is with ALL the choices of boxes.
You will have more than enough with 5 boxes and 8 birds...guaranteed!

 

[Ridgerunner]

The normal rule of thumb is 1 nest box for every 4 laying hens. According to that, 2 would be enough for 8 hens, but I'd suggest you think of 3 in case you want a broody to hatch eggs in the coop. If you are going to either immediately break a broody or move a broody to another location, then 2 is enough for 8 hens.

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
That is good to know - we will be redoing the whole organization in 2 years as we have decided to do meat birds also, but need to get all set up for it - the current coop will be the "brooder" and need some modifications etc... but knowing HOW many boxes to how many chickens is helpful.... I just want to make sure they can get their fat selves in there (ok only ONE is fat so far! but SHE IS BIG! for a little one) She reminds me of Babs on Chicken Run...

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
That's great...post pictures of the boxes!
Yeah, you really don't need that many boxes. We got the most eggs I've ever picked up on one day: 5.
If I recall correctly, 2 were in one box, 2 in another, and 1 in a third. And that is with ALL the choices of boxes.
You will have more than enough with 5 boxes and 8 birds...guaranteed!

Thanks muchly J&J!

 

[NDchickennewbie]

Shoot, I'm new to this and had my boxes in the coop the whole time. Is that bad? They are uncovered and have been roosting on the edges (at night they are on their roosting bars). They have started popping in them, so I need to figure out how to get them to NOT do that anymore. Quite a lot to learn about these ladies!