How Many Nesting Boxes Should I Have For 25 hens?

[chickybaby1213]

I've heard 25 but I also heard that 1 per 4 chickens and what is the best way to heat my coop in winter?

 

[Kiki]

I have 3 nesting boxes with 8 hens in one coop and they all use ONE nesting box.
I have 15 birds in another coop with 6 boxes and they use TWO nesting boxes.

For 25 birds I would say no more then 4.

 

[Kiki]

I can't help with the heating part, sorry.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I've read 1 nest box per 4 hens but the hens will use which ever they choose. I had 5 Wynadottes with a HUGE plastic dog house for a nest box plus I set up another. They all chose the dog house & sometimes the same corner! No fighting, couldn't understand with all the room why pile on each other. Oh, I ended up removing the second nest box.

As for heating, it would depend where you're located & your coop set up. I don't have to worry about heating, just rain & winds. I'd worry about fires in with heat, if the coop has walls; read some place bales of straw along the walls for extra insulation & a heavy layer of shavings, alot safer.

 

[BYCforlife]

I have 5 nesting boxes and 8 hens. Way too many nesting boxes. My hens use 2 nesting boxes- one because there is a curtain over it, an another because my roo sat in it and it became a habit, I guess.

I don't think you need heating. Just make sure if it is really cold where you live, that your roosts are flat and wide so the chicken's toes are covered by their feathers.
I only heat my chicken waterer so I don't have to change the water so often.

 

[aart]

I've heard 25 but I also heard that 1 per 4 chickens and what is the best way to heat my coop in winter?

Welcome to BYC!
Probably 2 nests minimum is good.
After that 1 nest per 3-4 birds should work.
Put fake eggs in all the nests to 'spread the love'.
I have 14 layers and 4 nests, without the fakies,
there are fights and squabbling and stress.
With the fakies, all 4 nests are used, tho some are favored over others.