How tall should my nesting boxes be from the ground?

[mixedUPturk]

I can say with confidence that my hens prefer the bottom nest boxes.

An important thing is to have the best boxes lower than the roosts.

Yup plus they tend to pick a favorite and ignore the others even if it means everyone take turns. Ive seen my hens wait on the favorite box.

 

[meglynnie]

I can say with confidence that my hens prefer the bottom nest boxes.

An important thing is to have the best boxes lower than the roosts.

How tall would that be off the ground, like a few inches?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yup plus they tend to pick a favorite and ignore the others even if it means everyone take turns. Ive seen my hens wait on the favorite box.

My meanies will try to bully my big Brahmas out of the coveted best nest.
Brahma 11# meanie 4#. It's nutty.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How tall would that be off the ground, like a few inches?

Yes just a couple inches.

Here is a pic.



Yes that bottom left is the preferred box here.

 

[meglynnie]

Yes just a couple inches.

Here is a pic.

View attachment 1715925

Yes that bottom left is the preferred box here.

Thank you for the reference photo!

 

[21hens-incharge]

OH and for ease of cleaning I use dishpans from the dollar store.

Note the boards across the front of the nests.....those are to keep them from tipping. Same is across the back.

I had a hen tip the dishpan, panic and become trapped.
If using dishpans make sure they cannot tip!

The boards that the upper pans sit on are easily slid out for cleaning as well. I find that very helpful.

 

[mowin]

My coop is 6x8. I want as much free floor space as possible so my nest boxes are 12" off the floor.

Anything taking up floor space, reduces SQ footage and the number of chickens that will be comfortable in the space.
If you're coop is large enough, it may be a mute point, but with smaller coops it's something to think about.

 

[Fatherdowling]

I'm in process of compiling coop plans and what I have read has been nesting boxes 18"-24" off ground, I suppose that it depends and I am interested to hear others opinions.

I have Lavender Orpingtons, and from what I've read, they are a heavier bird and need lower nesting boxes and roosting bar, so as to not damage their legs when they jump down. Is this true?

 

[Fatherdowling]

My coop is 6x8. I want as much free floor space as possible so my nest boxes are 12" off the floor.

Anything taking up floor space, reduces SQ footage and the number of chickens that will be comfortable in the space.
If you're coop is large enough, it may be a mute point, but with smaller coops it's something to think about.

My coop will be 6x4 and 4 feet tall, I will have 7 chickens, so SQ feet is very important to me. I think if I go 12 inches, that will be safe enough for my heavier birds, but high enough not to remove to much SQ feet. Thank you for your info.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm getting ready to build my coop, but I need to know if my nesting boxes can be 8 - 12 inches off the ground, or should they be higher? And can my roosting bars be 12 - 18 inches off the ground?

My nest boxes are 12-18” off the ground (I’m not sure exactly.) Not a problem if a hen hatches in there as long as you have it blocked off enough that the chicks don’t accidentally fall out. Personally, I prefer to have them nest on the ground.

I have had hens hatch within the flock many times and have not had other chickens attack the hen or hatching chicks. A broody hen is fierce, protecting her babies at all cost. Flockmates generally don’t mess with them.