Nesting box dimensions???

[Jim19053]

Getting close to completion of my coop and need to build the nesting boxes. I have a width of 40 inches to work with. What is the optimum height, width, depth? Can I get 3 boxes in that width or is that to narrow? I have plenty of room for height and depth. My birds are a cross between white rock egg layers and rhode island reds. Not sure how big they will get.

Thanks!
Jim

 

[Happy Chooks]

You want at least 12X12X12.

 

[RonC]

Mine are 12x12x12 with the front height at 14 inches for a sloped roof. Make sure to have enough lip at the bottom of the opening to keep the nesting material deep enough inside them. Mine started out using them then figured out they could make a nest in the floor of the coop easier because the bedding was deeper. Had to go back and add the lip at the opening. Now they mostly use the nest boxes again although a couple still use the corner of the coop floor.

 

[Jim19053]

With 40" of width I will go 13W X 14D X 14H. Maybe a little higher since height is not an issue and have plenty of room. Here are pics of progress- Soon to be complete (I hope!)

 

[Jim19053]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Jim in PA

 

[epignosisjs]

Ditto! Our boxes are 12 x 12 x 12 with a 1" x 4" for a lip, and a 1" x 2" "toe board" for them to enter the boxes from. Unfortunately, my 2 LH hens like to scratch around in the nest boxes looking for bugs. They keep scratching the hay out!.

 

[Angelight]

Mine are 12x12x12 with the front height at 14 inches for a sloped roof. Make sure to have enough lip at the bottom of the opening to keep the nesting material deep enough inside them. Mine started out using them then figured out they could make a nest in the floor of the coop easier because the bedding was deeper. Had to go back and add the lip at the opening. Now they mostly use the nest boxes again although a couple still use the corner of the coop floor.

I'm not even fighting it. Trying to figure out how to hang curtains in the corner for my hen. Whatever makes them happy as long as it isn't unhealthy or too much work for me.