how many is too many?

[fiddlebanshee]

Way too many nest boxes. In a 4x8 coop you can only have about 8 birds. Usually you need only 2 nest boxes for 8 birds. You need to provide roosts for sleeping, as you wouldn't want the hens to use the nest boxes to sleep in. They are for laying eggs, and nothing else. Therefore you would need to have your roosts higher than the highest nest.

Just a couple of observations. Good luck!

 

[gwtgl]

So I should convert the top 3 shelves into roosts? And leave the bottom 2 for nesting? Or actually I could simply get more chickens later and utilize all boxes . And create a new spot to roost. In fact I've just had an epiphany, in front of my nesting boxes I have placed roosting bars. Is that not sufficient?

 

[kimmerjo]

Welcome windnleaves I'm from ny Western SouthernTier. I'm going to enclose a part of my run with tarps so the chickens have the option to go outside if they want.

 

[Bullitt]

So I should convert the top 3 shelves into roosts? And leave the bottom 2 for nesting? Or actually I could simply get more chickens later and utilize all boxes

. And create a new spot to roost.

If this coop is for the hens to lay eggs and to roost at night, then a 4x8 coop is 32 square feet, and that is too small for 30 chickens.. The rule of thumb is 4 square feet of space per regular chicken. So you have coop space for 8 chickens. This is assuming that they have 10 square feet per chicken or more of run space.

You do not want the roost bars right over the nests, for obvious reasons.

You want the roost bars to be higher than the nests. You probably just need that bottom row of nests. By the way, each nest needs to be separate. So you need a board or something between each nest.

From what I understand by what you have written, you need a larger coop if you plan to have 30 chickens. Otherwise, your hens will be killing each other.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

By the way, each nest needs to be separate. So you need a board or something between each nest.

i agree with everything in your post, except this. I have communal nest boxes in all of my coops and the girls are just doing swell with them. There is always a spot to lay, they don't need to sit on top of each other, yet they still all think that they are in the same nest box. Took away a lot of squabbling at peak laying time.

 

[thomasboyle]

Chickens like to lay eggs in groups, so if you had 1 nest per chicken, many of the nesting boxes would be empty, and several would have many eggs in them. I have 20 hens and 5 nesting boxes, and on a typical day, 3 nesting boxes have 4-6 eggs in them, and 2 nesting boxes are empty. And the empty ones change from day to day. I even have hens waiting for another chicken to come out of a nesting box so they can lay, even then there is an empty nesting box next to it! Their have a natural desire to have a clutch of 8-10 eggs so they can lay on them, and they don't care if the eggs are their own or a communal nest.

I would definately let them outside in the winter. Some chickens like the snow, others do not. I put a roof over my protected run as I got tired of shoveling the deep snow out each storm! Now I cover the wire walls with heavy duty clear shower curtains, and this keep the wind and snow out. The chickens and ducks are very happy with this arrangement. Of course, the ducks would like it if I could keep the kiddie pool filled with water instead of ice, but that's another story!

 

[Bullitt]

i agree with everything in your post, except this. I have communal nest boxes in all of my coops and the girls are just doing swell with them. There is always a spot to lay, they don't need to sit on top of each other, yet they still all think that they are in the same nest box. Took away a lot of squabbling at peak laying time.

Maybe I am wrong. I think most people separate their nesting boxes. But maybe that is not the best way.

 

[fiddlebanshee]

it is not a question of right or wrong. It's just another approach. Isn't it great that there are so many different ways of doing things?

 

[gwtgl]

I am only hoping my way is going to work!

 

[kimmerjo]

Great idea shower curtain might have to steal that idea cheaper than tarps

Chickens like to lay eggs in groups, so if you had 1 nest per chicken, many of the nesting boxes would be empty, and several would have many eggs in them. I have 20 hens and 5 nesting boxes, and on a typical day, 3 nesting boxes have 4-6 eggs in them, and 2 nesting boxes are empty. And the empty ones change from day to day. I even have hens waiting for another chicken to come out of a nesting box so they can lay, even then there is an empty nesting box next to it! Their have a natural desire to have a clutch of 8-10 eggs so they can lay on them, and they don't care if the eggs are their own or a communal nest.

I would definately let them outside in the winter. Some chickens like the snow, others do not. I put a roof over my protected run as I got tired of shoveling the deep snow out each storm! Now I cover the wire walls with heavy duty clear shower curtains, and this keep the wind and snow out. The chickens and ducks are very happy with this arrangement. Of course, the ducks would like it if I could keep the kiddie pool filled with water instead of ice, but that's another story!