nesting box design

[olchev]

Howdy folks.. I been designing a nesting box to use in conjuction with a 4x8 coop I will make. The nesting box will be made from an old dog house. My question is will the hens still use it to lay eggs if I don't create individual boxes inside the house for them. Instead just let them use the entire dog house to their likeing.. the box is 2.5x4.5ft this would be shared among 3 or 4 chickens to start

 

[Judy]

They might very well. Group nests are not a new concept. I used to have one that they would use, though they seemed to preferr the single nest. They love to "wallow out" a rounded place, so I'd suggest hay which will keep its shape -- although maybe other things will work as well or better.

 

[olchev]

thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll just build nesting boxes inside the coop to be safe

 

[Judy]

I prefer them inside; easier to keep weatherproof and predatorproof. For 4 hens you only need one.