How many nesting boxes do I need?

[Uncle Marc]

I have 18 5 week old pullets. I have an antique galvanized nesting box with ten nests in it. Will this be enough when they get to the right age to start laying?

 

[CarolJ]

You only need one nesting box per 6 or so hens. It won't hurt to use the 10-nest box since you already have it. However, you might want to block off some of the nests. Or leave them all open. They tend to lay in the same few nest boxes anyway.

 

[reksat]

Thats more than plenty. I have 8 chickens and 2 nest boxes and 90% of the time they only use one. I think the ratio is something like 4 to 1. for the nesting boxes.