How many chickens per nesting box?

[HeatherTheMommy]

I have 8 or 9 nesting boxes (need to go look) so how many chickens can I have in my flock? I have 11 full grown hens now and 6 chicks (hopefully pullets). Was thinking of getting 3 more chicks for an even 20 chickens. Do I have enough nesting boxes?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I think it's one box per 3-5 hens. More than likely they will all try using the same 2-3 boxes though. You should be okay.

 

[Blooie]

I have 20 chickens and 6 nesting boxes. They all STILL use just 3 of them. <sigh> Sometimes there's a line waiting with their legs crossed, sometimes one will just jump in on top of another and lay. Silly chickens!

 

[HeatherTheMommy]

Lol yes mine also have 3 favorite boxes. I have walked in mid day with 2 chickens in one box haha. Mostly my 2 light brahmas shoved in one box -_-

 

[Blooie]

Oh, me too! I've had two Brahmas in one nest on many an occasion!

 

[Den in Penn]

The answer is 32. A box for every four hens. They do have their favorites. I have a box on the floor of my one coop and all seven of last years pullets us it, not the nests on the wall.

Another question would be, do I have enough room in the coop for them.

 

[CGilbert]

Here's 2 of my girls using the same one, peeking out through the port hole. I set up 3 nest boxes because I can house up to 20 chickens in this coop. I had 5 girls all using 1 of the nest boxes. Never used the other 2

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Last year I pulled 4 polish hens out of one box, it was like a magic act.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Last year I pulled 4 polish hens out of one box, it was like a magic act.

 

[aart]

The answer is 32. A box for every four hens. They do have their favorites. I have a box on the floor of my one coop and all seven of last years pullets us it, not the nests on the wall.

Another question would be, do I have enough room in the coop for them.

And a very good question indeed.

For those with nest 'crowding' or waiting in line.....fake eggs/golf balls kept in the nests at all times can help 'spread the love'.