How Many Nesting Boxes Needed?

[BigBlueHen53]

I have 21 chickens and 2 roos (well, a cockerel and a roo). Thirteen are pullets at POL and seven Edit: change that to six, sorry, are older, with the youngest being two years old. Of the older hens I get three or four eggs a day, but I'm reasonably certain none of them lay every day. So my question is, are four nests still enough, or should I build more? Thanks!

 

[ChickNanny13]

It's recommended 4layers to on nest box, however they end up having "favorites". Of the 4 nest boxes you have now, are they all being used? Maybe 2 more?

I had 5 Wyandottes with 2 nest boxes, they all laid in one.
Twice I had 4BOs & 2 nest box, they all laid in one.
So since I tend to use a huge dog house as a nest box and they all prefer that, I don't add the 2nd nest box anymore.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I think 4 nest boxes should be fine. I believe it's recommended to have 1 nest box for every 4 laying hens, by that math you would only need 1 additional box but since some are older, then it likely won't be an issue. They'll often fight over the same couple of boxes even if you provide them with more anyway. lol

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks. They were all laying in one box, but I put 2 golf balls in each nest a week or so ago and now all the nests are being used, if not every day, at least every other day. Even the two pullet eggs we've gotten have been in one or another of the nests.

 

[Kat2141]

I would agree that the 4 will likely be enough. My 7 girls have 3 and mostly use the same one. They wait in line or sometimes double or even triple up to use that one.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

To clarify: I'm soon going to have 19 layers vying for those 4 nests. Is that really enough?

 

[aart]

To clarify: I'm soon going to have 19 layers vying for those 4 nests. Is that really enough?

I've had up to 22 using 4 nests, should be fine.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've had up to 22 using 4 nests, should be fine.

Great! Thanks!

 

[jthornton]

One nest box if it's big enough for everyone to be comfortable...

JT

 

[BigBlueHen53]

One nest box if it's big enough for everyone to be comfortable...

JT

Thanks, I needed that!