How many nest boxes do I need?

[Russo's Roost]

I was under the assumption I needed one nest box per chicken, I bought a house with a coop already built and the past owner told me 2 nest boxes were plenty for 6 girls. Can someone verify this for me. We are about ready to put the girls in the coop and I don't want to have to scramble at the last minute.

 

[Lee]

Yes, one nest for about 4 hens. but, don't be surprised if they all want to lay in the same one.

 

[willowcol]

All 8 of my laying hens use 1 of the 4 nest boxes we built, so I would say 2 is plenty.

 

[miron28]

well i have 50 chickens and 3 different nest boxes that have 12 holes each and they use 4 out of all of them and if one of my chickens decide to sit they all want to use that one for some reason!

 

[RIVERRAT]

16 HENS BUILT 8 REAL NICE BOXES. HANGING ON WALL. THEY ALL LAY IN OLD SODA BOX ON FLOOR

 

[patandchickens]

2 nestboxes are for sure plenty for 6 hens

Have fun,

Pat

 

[88heather]

this is good to know!

we are building a coop now.. we have 6 chicks.. supposed to be all hens.. but we'll see! heh.. and we have 3 nesting boxes .. so I guess we also have plenty!! Yay!

 

[miron28]

Quote:

 

[mgalll]

finishing up my new coop, we have 12 hens, and i built 4 nests, should be just fine

 

[NicInNC]

I have 11 hens (only 7 are laying age though) and have 3 nesting boxes. They only use two of them though....sometimes they insist on all laying in the same one.