Nest box size: Brahma's and Jersey Giants

[Hoytman]

What size nest boxes do you recommend for these large breeds?

What size do you have?
What size do you wish you had?

Maximum and minimum recommendations welcomed.

 

[Wezdin]

12"×12"×12"is the standard egg box. As for too big I don't think that you can go too big within reason.

 

[Hoytman]

I currently have 13.5"x13.5" milk crates that I'm using. They are great for the leghorns and comfy for the Barred Rocks too...the large birds I have are as big as the barred rocks are right now and will get larger. That's got me thinking those milk crates are going to get tight for the larger birds.

 

[RoosterML]

I plan on also getting Jersey Giants.
I made the nest box for them closest to the ground along with them being 18"x18". Height of nest box shouldn't be much over 12" from the ground. My smaller hens lay in the larger box often.
It's the lower right one in picture.

 

[Wezdin]

my birds like to squish into their boxes, I've had 5 different chickens in 3 egg boxes at the same time. I just have standard size chickens though, and Jersey Giants are big birds.

 

[Hoytman]

Jersey Giants are big birds.

It's a good thing the Brahma rooster can't lay eggs then. LOL!! The brahma hens are a tad larger than the giant hens and they're the same age. Go figure...both grow slow...and they have plenty of growing yet to do.

 

[aart]

I currently have 13.5"x13.5" milk crates that I'm using.

Are they sitting with open end 'up' or to the side?
I assume they are 13.5"x13.5"x13.5"high?

Minimum size usually recommended is 12x12x12.
Mine are 14x14x16...works here and I've had some pretty big birds, Brahma and Marans.
Height is important too, the bedding can take up some of the height.
Did you know they actually stand up when the egg emerges?

 

[Hoytman]

I think they're 13.5"x13.5"x 11"...I think. Anyway, I cut part of one side out so the birds can enter, but they have plenty of overhead room. I placed the crates in a homemade box, slanted and hinged lid, that's IIRC 14" or 15" tall in the front and 24" in the rear where the hinges are.

 

[aart]

I think they're 13.5"x13.5"x 11"...I think. Anyway, I cut part of one side out so the birds can enter, but they have plenty of overhead room. I placed the crates in a homemade box, slanted and hinged lid, that's IIRC 14" or 15" tall in the front and 24" in the rear where the hinges are.

That should work for the big girls...unless she stands too close to the side when dropping the egg it might go out..... doubtful, butt possible.

 

[zinnia5117]

Are they sitting with open end 'up' or to the side?
I assume they are 13.5"x13.5"x13.5"high?

Minimum size usually recommended is 12x12x12.
Mine are 14x14x16...works here and I've had some pretty big birds, Brahma and Marans.
Height is important too, the bedding can take up some of the height.
Did you know they actually stand up when the egg emerges?

Hi @aart! Can I ask, is that 14”W x 14”D x 16” H? I have a Brahma too and she is gonna be huge (if she’s a she and gets to stay around). Is it a problem to have a nest box that is shorter(less high) at the back where you access the eggs and taller at the front? From your picture I am guessing that the chickens back into the nesting box usually so the shorter end of the chicken would be in the shorter end of the box.