How many nest boxes?

[deertrailchick]

I have 6 hens and 1 roo. All the hens are about 6 months old and I have only 2 laying. I don't know if I have enough nesting boxes for the others to start laying. Also, they are quite high off the ground near where the ladies roost so I think maybe they are too high as well.

I have 2 BO's, 3 RIR, 1 JG, and 1 polish roo. 1 BO and 1 RIR are laying and the others are just existing right now. The layers are sharing a box. Please let me know how many boxes you would suggest for the 6 ladies.

Deer Trail Chick

 

[tvtaber]

One, maybe two. Being high is no big deal except sometimes high nest boxes enrourage sleeping in them which is a mess. I have RIR that sleeps in a nest box that is on the floor!

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I think you should have no more than 3. Three might be the most comfortable for them so they can have some space in there, but two would work just fine.

 

[hinkjc]

The recommendation is usually 1 nest for every 4-5 hens. I would use two in your case.

Jody

 

[deertrailchick]

Thanks so much for responding so quickly. I have 3 hens sleeping in one box and 2 sleeping in another. Must be too high. I think I will redesign and reconfigure the boxes to discourage sleeping in them.