How many nest boxes?

[hypnochyck]

Do I need one nest box per hen or do they share? I plan on having only about 6 or 7 hens, how many nest boxes are needed?
Starting plans to build the coop this weekend and need to know what to do.
Thanks,
Nancy from California

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

You need 1 nest box for every 4 hens. You need 2 nest boxes.

 

[horsejody]

I have 8 nest boxes. 10 hens are of laying age. They all try to use the same box. When a hen gets desperate and can't wait her turn she may lay in the box right next to it. The rest go unused.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
same here.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

The general rule of thumb is 3 birds to a box.. but honestly, unless some hen has gone furiously broody and just will not share, they all use the same box... lol.

Put in two to be safe, three if you're really worried.

 

[hypnochyck]

You guys rock!! Thank you!!

 

[Chickapooh23]

Quote:

Funny. You need 1 box for every 4 hens so plan on 4-6 boxes. This is BYC home of hatchaholics.