nest box opening minimum size?

[redoak]

I ordered 9 buff orpingtons chicks (8 hens, 1 rooster) a couple weeks ago and thought I'd get a jump start on building stuff. I'm making 3 connected nest boxes with a 45 degree top to keep the hens from roosting on top the boxes. My question is what size opening do the next boxes need to be? I've read a few posts, and 12 to 14 inches is often said for nest box dimensions, does this also apply to the opening, especially if they have more "head-room" with a 45 degree top? Thanks in advance for any info

 

[brooster]

I have 14 by 14 openings for my buff orpingtons, and it works perfect. But i will say no less. They would be a little cramped. The head room doesnt really matter, mine never really stand in them, they kinda crouch to get in, then sit right away. So the read room doesnt account for room the chickens will use.

 

[brooster]

oh and 14 deep is good. 14 inch square!

 

[ChickenSquat]

I use milkcrates. seem to do a good job.

 

[Charlie Chicken]

12 H X 12 W X 14 D would be perfect for Buff Orpingtons. If you put a 1X4 on the bottom front to hold the nesting material in they would still have plenty of headroom/opening to get in and out. The 14" depth would come in handy when 2 or 3 hens all decide they want to use the same nest at the same time.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Will a 9" opening work? The nesting box has three sectioned off spaces which are 12x12 but somehow I didn't calculate the opening correctly and its only 9" tall. Once inside there is plenty of room. Will chickens squeeze/duck inside? I am really trying to not to have to dissemble the NB to make the opening a little bigger.