Do I need nesting boxes??

[PeachygirlGA]

Ok, this seems like a dumb question, but I have 2 hens that are 12 weeks and 2 that are 16 weeks. Right now they are in a small coop next to the big coop because they aren't big enough to mix in with my adults. This little coop doesn't have nesting boxes and really not much room for them. My husband built it for me when we got the chicks since we realized we couldn't put them all together. These hens will be laying soon, I know, so do they need a "box" to lay in or can they just lay inside the coop? As far as I can tell they do not sleep on the roost, but on the floor. I've never seen them sitting on the roost, which goes all the way accross the coop. Help!

 

[Altonafamily]

I'm still a newbie, but I don't think you HAVE to put one in there if you don't want to. If it is pretty small you could always just put a cardboard box in there for now. I would be worried about the possible early eggs getting walked on or pecked at. It would be sad to see their first eggs getting broken. That is just my opinion

 

[PeachygirlGA]

I didn't think of that, but good point! I have noticed they tend to sleep on the right side of the coop, so maybe if I put a little box on the left side.

 

[1muttsfan]

You don't have to have one, but they may develop the bad habit of laying on the floor instead of in the boxes - eggs are much more likely to get soiled and broken.