Nest box height and need for roosts.

[SouthernMNNewbie]

For heavy breeds, how high above the floor of the coop would nest boxes have to be to warrant roosts being placed in front of them?

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Not sure exactly what you mean but think you mean a landing in front of the next boxes. Our boxes are about 2" off the ground. I think it would be difficult for the hens to jump straight into the box without a landing. They could probably do it, but would they want to? You can see my nest boxes on the website below.

 

[SouthernMNNewbie]

Thanks for the photos! Did you mean they are 2' off the floor or 2"? The reason I asked is in other threads I read discussion about whether or not to have what they were calling roosts in front of the nest box. They were serving the same purpose as your landings.

 

[teach1rusl]

It's nice to have your nest boxes off the ground, because they can use the floor space under them then. Personally, even at 18 inches off the floor I would do a landing or roost in front of your nest boxes. Most nest boxes are built of fairly thin pieces of plywood (or something similar), and it's probably hard on the feet to jump up and land on that narrow edge/ledge.