Nest boxes

[SurferchickinSB]

I like 14x14x16...did you know that they stand up when the egg is actually emerging from the vent?

They need to feel 'safe'...curtains might help that, but think they are more for the keepers than the chickens.
They don't necessarily need 'dark' either.
ETA:I emulated the old metal round hole nest banks, because I like they way they look(childhood memory), but I also think the round entrances help with a more cave like feeling of 'safety'.

Fake eggs can help draw them to the nest, if another bird laid an egg-it must be safe here. They can also 'spread the love' by deterring them from all wanting to use the same nest.

Deep(4-6") front lip to hold eggs and bedding in, especially when they first start laying they will tear the nest up until they figure things out.

Great setup!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Ah, well, rafters work as roosts 'higher than the nests',
except for those that don't have them or need to access birds off roosts for exams.

Those are not "rafters". They are roosts purposefully put in those locations. And if I need to get to a chicken I use my ladder. I have ladders of different heights for everything. I'm not even 5 feet tall, so it's not anything unusual or difficult for me to get a ladder. Many of my chickens will come down to me if I have a treat for them too. Even my roosters of which I must decided on who to keep.

 

[aart]

Those are not "rafters". They are roosts purposefully put in those locations. And if I need to get to a chicken I use my ladder.

Ah, I see now. My knees don't do ladders well anymore, especially carrying a chicken, want them at 'my feet on the floor' height for night time off the roost exams.

 

[featherhead007]

I like 14x14x16...did you know that they stand up when the egg is actually emerging from the vent?

They need to feel 'safe'...curtains might help that, but think they are more for the keepers than the chickens.
They don't necessarily need 'dark' either.
ETA:I emulated the old metal round hole nest banks, because I like they way they look(childhood memory), but I also think the round entrances help with a more cave like feeling of 'safety'.

Fake eggs can help draw them to the nest, if another bird laid an egg-it must be safe here. They can also 'spread the love' by deterring them from all wanting to use the same nest.

Deep(4-6") front lip to hold eggs and bedding in, especially when they first start laying they will tear the nest up until they figure things out.

yes they stand up! I have 27 catched 27 eggs in my hand so far! Awesome!

 

[featherhead007]

No, they don't get in the boxes except to lay eggs. We have a very tall coop and have roosts at 3, 5, 6 & 7 feet. They love the 6 & 7 foot roosts and mostly use those. I only had a problem with Elmer thinking a nest box was a great place to sleep, but he finally grew out of it!

View attachment 1440122

yep, that's how they roost!

 

[boz]

when they do start it helps to put a dummy egg or golf ball in the nesting box to show them this where you lay your eggs

 

[[E]thernet]

I would say that 3 nest boxes will be enough for 7 chickens. 4 nest boxes if you want to be safe.

 

[adgcountrygirl]

I want my nest boxes to be at least 12x12x12 because I have 2 Jersey Giants and 1 half-Jersey Giant. My current "nest boxes" are made of 5 gallon buckets from Tractor Supply Co. I cut the lids to cover 1/3 to 1/4 of the bottom. They are easy to clean and my half-Jersey Giant raised 3 chicks in one of them. Since they are also easy to move, I took her and the whole nest to the smaller coop. This was before I started using it as the Bachelor Pad again.

 

[Chullicken]

One, two at most...anything else will just be a waste of your time and theirs.

 

[Shezadandy]

If you have a broody hen, do you plan to let her hatch eggs? If so, having a floor level box built into the plan is very handy.

We did a variety of widths because some of our girls really like a nice narrow nest box, probably because it's easier to 'defend' - a lot of time our young pullets choose to start their laying career in those. Others- my huge girls - need the big skybox size.

So, if you have the space, why not give them a couple/few options- a deeper box can accommodate 2 chickens- some like to do that, kinda like ladies heading off to the restroom together.

And again- if you're ever planning to let a broody hen hatch eggs, a floor level that you can close off from the rest of the flock (except once a day when you let her out to do her business) - will come in very handy.