Nesting box size

[darajosami]

I have three boxes that are 30cm (app 12") wide x 30cm (app 12") deep x 25cm high (app 10"). My question is, will this be too high for my Brown Leghorns (who are apparently a cross between a normal size and Bantam

)? We were thinking of cutting the front a little lower for it to get in.

Also, how deep do you fill the container? I was thinking about 3/4 or should it be half?

 

[deathfromabove]

That size should work out for you, the hens will probably share the same box to lay there eggs. My nest boxes are 12 inches high x 16in wide x 12 in long. I have four of them and 13 hens and they only use two boxes sometime two at a time.

 

[darajosami]

That size should work out for you, the hens will probably share the same box to lay there eggs. My nest boxes are 12 inches high x 16in wide x 12 in long. I have four of them and 13 hens and they only use two boxes sometime two at a time.

Thanks for that. getting them tomorrow and hoped they weren't too high.

How far do I fill up with hay?

 

[Meeka3]

I put my boxes on their side, and put a piece of board in front with a brick to hold it in place to stop the chooks from kicking the hay out. They all want the same box, and when one changes, they all change, and sometimes I have 3 or 4 all squashed in together, sitting on each other's heads, while the other boxes all sit empty. I recently put some plastic eggs in the other boxes and have had some luck with a couple of the younger chooks.

 

[deathfromabove]

I put enough in to fill the bottom. You just need enough to cushion the egg so it doesn't break.