Do chickens need nest boxes to lay..?

[jayjaymozza]

Hi, just wondering do I need to fit some nest boxes in for my chickens to lay?

Thanks

 

[Hawkesy]

Nesting boxes generally make the process of laying and collecting eggs a lot easier for you and your chicks. It means that they have a regular, comfortable, area to lay and you do not have to search for them around your coop.

I would also say that there's less chance of an egg cracking if you have nesting boxes as the straw works with the eggs unlike a hard surface/the ground.

 

[BuffOrps416]

I would say that it is probably the most comfortable place for the girls to lay and it also gives them privacy and a nice dark area for them to do their thing. Also, like Hawksey said, it's probably less likely that the egg will break if it is in a box or some other box-like thing. It could maybe get stepped on if it is just in a dirt nest in the ground. What else were you thinking of using (beside nesting box)?

 

[jayjaymozza]

Ah right cheers, I just have one big cage for 3 of the chickens at the minute, I just wasn't sure if they will lay just on the straw or if they needed nesting boxes to lay. Thanks