How many nesting boxes for 5 mabye 6 hens?

[lulumammato2]

I've got 4 BR hens one EE hen and mabye a silkie hen how many nesting boxes do i need?

 

[nelgkel]

1 nesting box per 4 hens

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

The rule of thumb is one nest box for every 4 hens .... however they will all choose one that is a favorite

 

[paddock36]

I have a nest box that I made. It is a long box divided into three. They lay in all three. At least now they do. They were all laying inside the hutch of an old rabbit cage until I discovered their hiding place and closed the door.

 

[gryeyes]

I would go with two. Even if you only had two chickens, I just think it's polite to offer them both their own nests. They won't use both, but it's still nice. And symmetrical.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

You need two (1 for every four hens) unless you get more chickens. They do tend to multiply

 

[Fred's Hens]

Have a pen of a dozen pullets in full lay. Yup. 3 boxes available, but just one is used. Whichever box the queen bee uses seems to influence the rest. Another pen has 8, year old, hens. Didn't even bother with more than one box. Silly chickens.

 

[Judy]

Quote:

And I would build one. But that's me.

 

[lulumammato2]

Thanks everyone! I'm thinking of going with 2 bigger ones that could be redivided into 3 since my chicken math is quickly adding up, we just got finished adding on to the small coop I bought less than a month ago for the three that turned into 6 and may be approaching 7 ( if I go back and get the Buff Orf at the feed store) Now I can build my nesting box, paint the frakencoop purple and The Eggplant will be in full swing

 

[Arielle]

Gotta love chicken math! I went back for the Buff Orpingtons too and the EaterEggers and . . . .
you get the idea!!