How high is too high for nesting boxes?

[AlGalMom]

We will be hopefully tripling or quadrupling the size of our backyard flock in the next few weeks (currently we have 2 hens, we're hoping the batch of chicks we have in the brooder will give us 4 to 6 more) and are in the process of converting our A-frame tractor into a stationary walk-in coop. In order to not waste the hard work & money that went into our A-frame, the plan is to build a rectangular base and top it with our existing tractor, then extend the roofline down to the ground on one side to give more room in the run portion of the coop. The current tractor has a sleeping/laying loft, & the plan is to drop the floor down to the top of the new box (what used to be the ground in the old tractor) to provide more "inside" square footage. Here's a picture of the tractor we're starting with:





My husband just finished framing in the base for the new coop, and he's made the walls 5' high (so we can walk in to the finished enclosure, kind of like the garden coop design). This means the floor of the loft will be 5' off of the ground. We're starting to realize that that isn't the most convenient height for things like gathering eggs or changing litter.

So, my question is, do chickens care how high their nesting boxes are? Will they mind it if (for some reason) we decide to keep the nesting area up that high? Does anyone have a loft with a "trap door" for cleaning out? I'm wondering if hinging the floor and letting it drop down into a wheelbarrow would be a good option.....of course, then I need to shovel the fresh litter up over my head. Sigh. The joys of diy on the fly!

 

[4 the Birds]

I'm not real clear of the end design but nesting boxes up in the loft at 5' high is pretty high for that size coop! Ideally you want the around 12" or 18" up from the coop floor so that they can hop up and down without having to fly or jump down from high distances. Any flying or flapping in the coop means dust and particulates everywhere. The loft may be a good roost place if they have a ladder or ramp up that is not too steep.

 

[Judy]

I agree; "too high" also involves sideways space to "fly" (more like flap) down safely. If they sleep in there, nest boxes higher than roosts means they will want to sleep in the nests, also.

 

[Schroeder]

You will find many uses for your tractor down the road (isolation pen, broody pen, chick nursery, etc.) If at all possible, I'd suggest you construct a top onto your new base without incorporating that nice A frame tractor.