nest height

[Scott E.]

do chickens like to nest lower to the ground or higher? I have the nest boxes about 24" above the ground so that the ducks can nest under them. I currently only have two layers of my 10 hens because they aren't old enough yet. One will lay in the nesting box. The other lays on top of a bale of hay on a shelf that is 5' above the floor (so 7' to the nest). This makes it very difficult to collect eggs. She was laying for 9 days up there before we figured it out.

I'm looking to discourage her from laying up there and thinking of putting up a barrier of some sort to keep her off.

 

[Sarah the chicken girl]

I have my lowest level nest boxes at 12" above ground but friends and family have found that they will nest where ever they can, as long as they feel secure enough to do so.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have good luck with bottom of nest boxes 1 ft off coop floor. Just make sure your roosts are higher.
I think you will need to block access to hay bail. GC