Hi new here! besting box?

[Debbie Maxwell]

Prepared the hen house for my 25 mature hens. House is secure with high roosting site inside but should the laying boxes be in the ground or up higher on a shelf. They seem to want to roost their as well and make a mess of the boxes??
Thanks

 

[Pork Pie]

nesting boxes need not be high off the ground. In fact, if you convert and old chest of drawers to give a series of nest boxes, you would find that some chickens prefer lower levels, other higher etc. Conventionally, the nest boxes should be above ground level, but don't need to be higher than around 30-50cm. As you have 25 hens you will need at least 6 nesting boxes (but you will find they all prefer specific ones). Whatever you decide, i would advise you put an angled "roof" over them to stop them being used as a perch / roost.

Good luck!
CT

 

[N F C]

Putting the nesting boxes lower than the roosts can help keep the birds from roosting in the boxes. I think it's a protective instinct for chickens to want to be up higher for sleeping so if given the choice between sleeping on a roost and sleeping in a nesting box, they will choose the roost if it is higher. Also, if your boxes are lower and you plan on hatching chicks with a broody, the chicks will be safer in a lower nesting box.

If your chickens aren't laying yet, cover the boxes so they can't get in to make a mess. When they start to show signs of laying, you can take off the covers and put golf balls or plastic eggs in so the chickens will get an idea that is the safe place to lay their eggs.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Debbie Maxwell]

T

nesting boxes need not be high off the ground. In fact, if you convert and old chest of drawers to give a series of nest boxes, you would find that some chickens prefer lower levels, other higher etc. Conventionally, the nest boxes should be above ground level, but don't need to be higher than around 30-50cm. As you have 25 hens you will need at least 6 nesting boxes (but you will find they all prefer specific ones). Whatever you decide, i would advise you put an angled "roof" over them to stop them being used as a perch / roost.

Good luck!
CT

Thank you very much!

 

[Debbie Maxwell]

Thank you

...

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!
Thank you.. So glad to be here too

 

[Debbie Maxwell]

Very helpful info

Putting the nesting boxes lower than the roosts can help keep the birds from roosting in the boxes. I think it's a protective instinct for chickens to want to be up higher for sleeping so if given the choice between sleeping on a roost and sleeping in a nesting box, they will choose the roost if it is higher. Also, if your boxes are lower and you plan on hatching chicks with a broody, the chicks will be safer in a lower nesting box.

If your chickens aren't laying yet, cover the boxes so they can't get in to make a mess. When they start to show signs of laying, you can take off the covers and put golf balls or plastic eggs in so the chickens will get an idea that is the safe place to lay their eggs.

Thanks for joining us!

..

 

[Debbie Maxwell]

Thank you and very helpful info

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

 

[chickmomma03]

I put my nesting boxes low to the ground and on the ground. The top shelf is reserved for the chickens to roost and sleep on.