Nest Box Sizes

[Melder_Mountain]

I'm sure it's here somewhere, but I can't find it. Of course this usually means it's right in front of me

I need an idea on the size of nest boxes. My largest breed are RIR and I think I may have some Bantams or Cochins also. I have no idea on the size(s) of the boxes they'll need and I'd like to know also if they should be at ground height or mounted on the coop wall. I am hoping to have at least one setter on some eggs at times and figure that nest needs to be down where she and the chicks can get in and out easily.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There is a section at the top of this page in the learning center on nest boxes. This link talks a lot about nesting boxes also. You'll probably fiind more variety in the different things people use for nesting boxes than anything else, unless it is the difference in coops.

Community Nesting Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=173767

For a full sized hen, I'd think a 12" x 12" is about as small as you want to go. I made mine 16" x 16" since hens like to lay together and this gives them more room.

As far as nest height, the usual recommendation is to have them 18" to 24" from the floor. Having them off the floor helps keep them clean. I have mine 12" off the floor. Some people have them on the floor. One consideration for nesting box height is that the roosts need to be higher than the nesting boxes as chickens tend to roost as high as they can. The higher the nesting boxes, the higher the roosts need to be. That should not be a huge concern for your breeds, but for the larger breeds like Brahma, Jersey Giants, some Orpington strains, they can hurt themselves when jumping down from high roosts.

You mentioned about eventually having a setter. By the way, the word usually used on this forum is "broody". It might help your searches to know that. I grew up calling them "setting hens" and thought broody was a mood for people. I'll include a link about isolating a broody that you might find interesting. When I built my coop, I put in a section specifically for a broody.

Isolate a Broody? Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213218

 

[dixiechick]

For our bantams, we went with 14x14x14....thinking 2 hens would be comfy sharing one box....about 4-5 share one box....leaving the other boxes empty!

They are so silly. They remind me of a hair salon. Everyone crowded together, talking and enjoying each other's company! Silly 'ole girls!

 

[fordmommy]

They say 1x1x1 is standard. 1 box to every 4 hens. I use some of these. Cost lest than $8.00 each. A regular store boought nesting box is $20.00 average. Too rich for my blood. Chickens aren't as picky as we humans. Whatever you make, they'll do fine.


I put a plastic tray on top to catch the poop.

 

[cmom]

Here are some pictures of my nest boxes.

 

[cmom]

Here are some picture of my birds in their nest boxes.