Nesting box question...

[jerseygirl1]

Just curious, it seems to vary, but how far off the ground (if at all) does everyone put their nesting boxes? And as a rule of thumb, is it one nesting box per every two or three birds? Thanks

 

[ssteiner]

I hear all sorts of answers to this question. Everything from a foot or two to four or five. My girls seem happy with their's, which is only a foot.

I have one nesting box for four hens which seems fine.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree. 1 box for evey 4 hens.

As far as how high, people do a lot of different things. Some have them on the ground, some quite high. Usually, the chickens don't care that much. Some do but usually not. So make it convenient for you.

Some of the things to think about. Chickens are ground dwelling birds. If your coop space is tight, putting the nesting boxes high enough for the chickens to get under increases your coop space.

How much do you want to bend to get the eggs?

The usual recommendation is to raise them about 18" to 24" so they stay cleaner. Nest boxes on the ground are more likely to get dirty.

Your roosts need to be about 12" higher than your nesting boxes so they are less likely to roost in the nesting boxes. Do you have room for roosts that high.

I think those are the major considerations. Maybe someone can add some more things to consider.

 

[Malou-La-Croix]

I have two 4 month old pullets and one nest box in the coop. I have the nest box bedded down nice and comfy with pine shavings and 2 golf balls in it. I have not seen them get into the nest box other than when I place them in there and they will stand for a sec, cock their heads at the golf balls, and hop down. Do you think once they start laying that they will seek out the nest box to lay in, like will they instinctually learn that the box is a cozy safe place to lay? I am worried they will lay in the yard since they free range, and it would be tough for me to find eggs in my jungle of a backyard.

 

[jerseygirl1]

The coop is about 8 ft high, so height isnt a problem, so the nesting boxes will be about a foot off the ground, with the roost approx. 18 to 24" above that, right?
Thanks

 

[Ridgerunner]

I put my roosts 12" above the top of the nesting boxes, but more will work fine.