how many nest box?

[showbarnmom]

Plan is to have 7-8 laying hens. I currently have 3 boxes. I can have more, although, my ocd only wants one more, because they are repurposed buckets and I want them all the match. *eye twitch* lol. Will the hens share those 4 boxes?

 

[Bellatrixed]

I have always heard 1 nestbox per 4 hens, and in my experience they are more than happy to pile on and share. I've seen as many as 5 at once crammed into a nestbox. So, 3 for 7-8 should be perfect.

 

[Clay Mudd]

In one of my coops, I have 8 hens and 3 boxes. They mostly lay in 2 of them. So, 3 is fine, but if you want 4, I say go for it.

 

[showbarnmom]

Awesome! Now....how high will a hen go to nest? Top box will be about 3.5/4ft off the ground

 

[tadpole98]

Awesome! Now....how high will a hen go to nest? Top box will be about 3.5/4ft off the ground

you would be fine with 2 even, but three is better!
thats how high mine is off the nest. What breeds do you have? In my experience Silkies nor cochins can get in off the ground boxes.

 

[showbarnmom]

you would be fine with 2 even, but three is better!
thats how high mine is off the nest. What breeds do you have? In my experience Silkies nor cochins can get in off the ground boxes.

I have mutts lol. They may be black sexlink or we mixes. I am adding a RIR, BR, and an EE.

 

[tadpole98]

I have a bunch of mutts too

they will be fine then

 

[cary 1973]

I have 4 hens and 4 nesting boxes they all 4 will only lay in 2 boxes at first it was the first 2 nesting boxes them I fixed the last 2 nesting boxes and dug a little whole in the middle and pushed all the alfalfa and would shavings to the side then they all decdided i make better nest then they do so now they fight over those 2

 

[showbarnmom]

K. That's tomorrows job. Clean the coop, and pick up my new chooks!

 

[tadpole98]

lol i just cleaned my coop yesterday. I wish I could have gone to pick up chicks after ;(