How many

[ac12607]

How many hens will lay in each nest box? We are thinking of starting out with about 10 chickens. Do we need 10 nesting boxes or will they share?

 

[Judy]

No, 2 or 3 are enough -- and even then, they may lay them all in one. Figure roughly one nest to four hens.

 

[thomasboyle]

Agree with Judy. I have 5 nesting boxes, and on any given day only 3 get used. 80% will be in one box with 10% in each of the other two.

 

[ac12607]

Great!! We would have really overdone it! Ha!! Thank you so much for the quick reply!!

 

[Cluckies]

We built 4 nesting boxes, but my 5 hens who lay, mostly use 1 sometimes 2, I use the other 2 boxes for storage, (removable divider). Or when one has to be in the "hospital" or "prison" I open the one on the far right. (for my pen within the henhouse.)

 

[ac12607]

That looks nice!! Thank you for the pics!!

 

[aart]

Nice setup @Cluckies

Good on you @ac12607 for doing your proper prior planning ;-)

 

[coop-er]

We have 12 hens and 4 boxes, they use 2-3 boxes 95% of the time.