How many boxes

[irisheyes]

Well we went out tonight and low and behold we had three eggs in one nest, they were a greenish tint so the black chicken is doing her job. I am kinda questioning our nesting space , we have two large nest for 7 hens... Is that adequate or do I need to add a few boxes to the hen house ????????

First Eggs

 

[matthewschickens]

You should be fine but if one goes broody you might have a problem

If it were me I would add one more but your choice

Matthew

 

[Annabella]

I believe that it is one nest per 4 or 5 hens. So it sounds like you have enough!!
Congrats on the new eggs - its always exciting to find eggs.

 

[kipper]

Yes, I agree, one per every 4 or 5. You could have one box per hen and they would all lay in one or two of them, though.

 

[irisheyes]

Thanks to all for the replies , we are so excited....

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Quote:
I agree. If one goes broody, that leaves only 1 open nest to lay in. I have 6 for my Yokohamas( 25 birds), 6 for my EE's ( 15 birds ), 3 for my turkeys ( 5 birds ), & 9 for my pigeons ( only 1 breeding pair so far)
Total of 24 nest boxes for 63 birds. that may be overkill on nest boxes, but they all have a place to lay.

 

[theoldchick]

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to nest boxes. I have as many as I have room for. The more the merrier for my chickens. I found there is less aggression if extra nest boxes are available. Just my personal preference and may not be a popular one.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I put in 3 nest boxes for 20-ish hens, and i regretted it, mostly because my girls go broody like gangbusters. I have had as many as three setting at one time, and that doesn't leave any room for the non-broodies to lay their eggs. I want to add at least three more boxes in my coop. Better to err on the side of too many than too few.

 

[fishermans wife]

I have 4 boxes for 6 hens - and they all fight and wait in line for the same 2 boxes

Two boxes they NEVER use! Go figure!