nesting boxes for heavy breed birds question

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I have 17 heavy breed pullets. I'm planning on putting in 6 nest boxes (12 x 12 x 14 deep) . I wanted to stack three on three.
I was going to put them 18" off the ground. My question is, will heavy birds want to go up to the second row of boxes? OR
should I reconsider my plan? Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

If they are heavy breed I would rethink the plan. some heavy breeds will only enter a box they can get into (flying only so high up).
You may want to get some other to chime in on this question before making any other plans.

 

[thechickonthehill]

I have Brahmas, Cochins and Marans. My nest boxes are 18" off the floor, but only one level. If there was another level stacked on the nest boxes I have, the Marans might get in there but I don't think the bigger girls would bother. What would worry me though is not that they could get up to the second level, but them getting down. My girls are not light on their feet! When they jump down from the nest boxes right now, even with 6" of shavings on the floor, they hit the floor like a ton of bricks! I would worry about leg injuries with a second level.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Thank you both for your reply. I guess I'll have to figure this out. I'm trying to make it so that the kids can enter the coop and collect eggs without risking letting any birds out, dogs in or taking up too much of the floor space in the coop with swinging doors.

HHmmm....wonder if they would go up a ramp to get to the second row?...or is that asking too much of them?

 

[schmism]

When i had 17 girls all shareing the same coupe i added a second row of 2 boxes ontop of my first 2 that were about 18" off the ground.

They would use the second row but only if it was an "emergency". But if you took an egg or 2 from below and put it in the top boxes, then they all wanted to lay in that box so......

oh and my flock is made up of heavies also....

 

[lisamayc]

I built a pop out nest box with a door on the outside of the coop so I wouldn't have to enter the coop - for the exact same reason, keep dog out and chickens in. I still like to go into the coop everyday to check water, food. I use a community box that is a little over 3 feet long and 14 inches high and 14 inches deep. They all lay in one corner. I try the golf balls, but they just roll them over to the side of the box they like to lay in. I've thought about putting in a divider, but everyone seems happy for now. I do have two hens that like to lay in the corner of the roosting room -
I have 2 RIR, 2 BO, 3 BR - and 2 EE that are never going tostart laying.

 

[wildorchid053]

we did one big box . so they could all lay at once if needed.. it is about 12" off floor and they are large birds. some lay under it so i think next time i am putting my boxes on the floor

 

[Nostalchic]

I have two rows of "community nests", one at floor level, and one stacked above that. I do have a little ladder going up to the 2nd row (on hinges, so you can raise it to clean under) which all of my hens use to investigate which nest they plan to use today, and to get there. I have seen my biggest hens, the Light Brahmas, in both the top and the bottom nests. Also remember to put your roots higher than the top nests so they won't sleep in the nests.

 

[bigstack]

Im just starting out with JG's. I built my coop with the nest boxes on the out side walls of the coop. This way it maximizes space in the coop. I can get the eggs from the outside and only need to open the end door to add feed and water. The entire coop is 10x10 and is 18 inches from the ground. I started the nest boxes 4 inches from the coop floor and the boxes are 16x16x16. I made them 2 rows high. so the second row is only 20 inches from the floor. I included a rung infront of the box a lil lower. Bout 4 inches lower than the front of the nest box. This will allow them to fly up and land before entering the nest but is not big enough for them to roost on. I have a 30x30 run and 16 nest boxes for all 45 JG's. I know the coop is a lil small and am planning an addition soon. The only time they will be inside is at night anyway. I put 7 8ft roost inside aswell. If it rains I am adding a door to the floor of the coop so they can just go under the coop and still be outside. Other than that they will have a regular slide door on each side of the coop with enter and exit ramps. I am almost finished with the coop, minus the addition. I had a better hatch rate than I expected. LOL

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[horsejody]

I have an 8 hole nest box. Four on the floor and 4 on a second level. I also have two old small dog/cat carriers. One is on the floor and one is on a counter top. My Cochin only lays in the one sitting on the floor. I don't think that she could jump 16 inches high to save her life, let alone just lay an egg.