Is my nesting box too small? Picture added

[CTChickenMom]

What kind of chickens do you have? Boxes I've seen are about 12" on the bottom. I think this is going to be much too short.

Storey's Guide to Chickens says heavier breeds should have box that is 14x14x12 (WxHxD). Bantams need 10x12x10. They also recommend leaving next boxes on the ground until the girls become accustomed to using them then post them up off the floor.

 

[ChicksR4Me]

Sorry... I was called away from the computer. ok, What kind of chickens. White Rocks, Buff Orphingtons, Barred Rocks, Black Austrilorps. Heavy Breeds .. Box too small I can cut it down and make it a single box and it won't be a total waste I guess.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Looks nice, and like a good fit! we have leghorns, and my hubby made some boxes out of 5 gallon buckets. They're on my page. We set ours in an old doghouse up on the crates. They do just fine with them, and they have about the same amount of clearance to the top of the doghouse.

 

[ChicksR4Me]

I have an idea! Maybe I should just get some of those little chickens. Bantams i think their called?

It's a pretty good excuse to get more chickens don't ya think? I could fix up a section in the barn for them that would work!

I've been told i'm adicted to chickens, or I have chicken fever. When I miss work they say I have chicken pox. You know what I mean? I'm known as the chicken lady at work. I get teased all the time and love it and they are right I guess. It seems I'm always wanting more chickens.

 

[babyblue]

looks ok to me, but my BO's cram 3 at a time into a horse feed bucket to lay eggs. they dont seem to care about space.

 

[Slywoody]

My big ol' BO's would go in either one in a heartbeat.

 

[sepiolida]

You put a lot of work into it! It looks great! I would try it and rebuild if it doesn't work for them. They might just like being cozy...

 

[CTChickenMom]

I have a community nest box. I don't worry about broken eggs or eggs getting stepped on. Hens like the dark, secluded privacy. You may be able to turn that on it's side, take out the divider, and make a community nest box for bantams! I can fit 5 hens at a time in my nest box. It's kind of like a bunch of ladies getting together for quilting or knitting or something! I can just imagine a few in there having tea and talking about their day! LOL!

 

[MareeZoCool]

Looks great to me!

BUT, what do I know? My hen is nesting under the driver's seat in our truck!

 

[ChicksR4Me]

Thanks for all your encouragment and good information! It is very much appreciated! I'll give it some time to see if my chickies like them and go from there. I did end up making another one that's bigger.

This one has a 14 1/2" Square bottom with a 10" opening on the bottom nest and 11" opening on the top nest.
Also I used a staple gun to assemble instead of the ugly black screws.