Nesting Box Ratio with large breeds

[Stephen518]

I have 12 large hens, Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orphingtons, Black Astroulorps and Silver Laced Wyandotes. How many nesting boxes should I hve to keep the girls happy?

 

[VelvettFog]

3 or 4

 

[Cowgirl71]

from Missouri!

I like to aim for 1 nest box per 3 hens. So for 12 hens you'd need 4 nest boxes.

Excellent choices on breeds, BTW!

 

[Stephen518]

Thank you, I was afraid I would hear the number 4. In my original hen house, I was to only have 6 birds and I built 2 nesting boxes. I enlarge the sleepng quarters but did not add nesting boxes. Now I have 12 girls and two boxes. They are to start laying in about 1 month so I guess I had better get busy.

Can the 2 extra boxes be outside the actual sleeping area as long as they are still in a protected area?

Thank you for the information.

Stephen

 

[Cowgirl71]

Are the hens free ranged or kept in a run?

ETA: Just asking because if the hens are free ranged they'll be more picky about their nest boxes. Penned up hens don't have much choice and will use just about any box you provide for them, because the alternative is the bare ground.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They can be but you will probably find that they will all try to use the ones in the area they are used to.

You might try looking at this thread for some pretty simple ideas on nesting boxes. They don't need to be hard or complicated. And for 12 hens, I'd be happy with three nest boxes.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=41108

 

[Stephen518]

I have a 10x10 fenced enclosure with a roosting cage on one side. I have 2 nesting boxes attached to one end of the roosting cage.

The 2 extra nesting boxes that I need to build will be placed at the opposite end of the roosting cage with access still inside the 10x10 enclosure but not from inside the roosting cage.

They also have a 10 x 16 fenced run and they are let out to free range about 4 hours every day.

 

[7L Farm]

I have 10 laying hens in one coop & they use all my boxes & their still waiting in line. More boxes more eggs.

 

[Gmsg01]

Even the rooster waits in line?

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
That's Freddy making sure his girlfreinds are safe. He loves the ladies.