location of nest boxes?

[sweeterdeeter42]

Is it better to have nest boxes up higher or down lower? My girls are laying their eggs on the ground, and the nest boxes are up, like they are sitting on a table. Do they just not know where the boxes are yet, or is it better for them to have their boxes on the ground?

 

[Desert Rooster]

its best to have them off the ground so they wont sleep in them, and have a roost bar in front of the nestbox opening so they can jump on that to get inside.
i have mine 3 feet off the ground with a 2x4 in front as a step for them.
You can also get fake eggs and put them in the nest so they'll know where to lay

 

[tuesdays chicks]

I'm in conflict with the raised nest boxes, remember chickens want a nest that will be easy for their chicks to get in and out of safely if a chicken needs to fly to where its going to lay its eggs it can't hatch its eggs there, you need to think like a chicken not like a crow.

 

[Judy]

All that I've read says that what encourages chickens to sleep in nests is having them higher than the roost. Some of mine prefer a higher nest box and some a lower one, just as some prefer open top and some prefer open front, so I have both. Even then, if there is a soft pile of hay in a corner, someone will choose that.