Nest boxes

[chero lyr]

I'm building a new coop (3x5.5ft) and can't decide if I want to make one large nest box (12x36in) or 2 smaller ones (12x18in). I currently have 2 hens that are almost 4 years old. They have been known to squeeze together into the one small box they have now and not mind. I will be getting 2 more hens when the new coop is finished. Someone on this site said they only had one large box and multiple hens shared it just fine. What does everyone think?

 

[Ted_Harrell]

I would go with two and let them decide which one they will use, mine have three and they all use the one on the end and crap in the one on the other end. They obviously didn't read all the chicken books out there that said they should poop in the area where the roost is and out in the yard, oh well. Good luck with whatever you decide...Maybe some pics later after the build?

 

[chrissynemetz]

I have both small individual nest boxes and a few larger communal ones. My girls seem to prefer to pile on top of each other in the smaller ones.

 

[Pennys Mama]

I think do both and then let the girls decide. I'm planning on making new nesting boxes, maybe I'll just do one long communal box, it'll be easier to build.

 

[aart]

I'd go with 2 nests.

I will be getting 2 more hens when the new coop is finished.

Then best to make it bigger than 3.5 x 4
Integrating new birds work best with extra space.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @chero lyr
Thanks for adding your location!

 

[Acre4Me]

We had one large box-similar to your dimensions for the one box. Yes, a few could go in and use the box at the same time, and they did. However, we had to put up a divider bc a couple of hens would not allow the others in when they were laying, them one went broody. With the divider it solved those problems and the girls will double up inside these larger boxes. We added kitty litter pails placed on their side (so they are narrow, but tall). Some girls love these, and a broody spent her days in one being broody, yet sometimes another hen would climb on top of her, and lay an egg!!! These kitty boxes are pretty narrow, and they have several choices for nest boxes, so there is no rhyme or reason why a bird chooses one nest box over another.

 

[chero lyr]

Thank you all for your thoughts ...all super great ideas. And Acre4me thanks for the thought on the broody business. One of my girls goes broody about twice a year and gets quite crabby. I'm leaning towards the two box plan now...even though they'll probably all cram into the same small box!