My husband is outside currrenty trying to figure out where he wants to put the nesting boxes inside the coop. I told him not to do anything yet until I got some more detailed ideas that way we don't have to redo them. We got a basic idea of how they are suppossed to be built but I need more help in trying to figure out how high off the ground they need to be and what size is best? I read the roost area needs to be higher than the boxes, is this true? How many do I need? I have 21 red stars (red sex link). My husband is leaving for out of town work and he wants to get these done before he leaves. Any ideas and help you guys can throw my way would be appreciate it. Thanks everyone
It's best to have the nest boxes lower than the roost to discourage the hens from sleeping in the nests - they do a lot of pooping at night and you don't want that in the nest boxes. They will generally seek the highest place to roost. There are lots of ideas on this site for nest design and arrangement - just search under 'nests'. I have "community" nests, which are just two long boxes (about 52 inches long), one above the other. No vertical dividers. The chickens have fashioned the bedding (hay) into several favorite laying areas within the boxes. Some prefer the upper row, some the lower one which is at floor level. I have the equivalent of 6-8 nests for my 26 hens, which seems to be plenty. They aren't that particular - give them a bucket or a milk crate on its side with some hay in the bottom and that works too.
I have read that the nestboxes should be about 18" off the ground. The size should be 12"x12" for large fowl. For now I am using small dog crates, until I can get someone to help me build the nesting boxes. The Roost is high than the nesting area.
I would not stress too much over the nest boxes. We spent hours and hours researching and building all these great nest boxes, and the birds are really just as happy plopping down in a dishpan full of straw. What if you try a very simple shelf and toss a couple of those quickie dishpan nests in there to find out if they work before your hubby goes through a lot of trouble trying to put them together? If he is really short on time, just toss the pans in a corner of the coop (not beneath roosts). Just a thought . . . Good luck!
thanks guys. the dish pans are a great idea same with the cat litter pans, it would definitely be quick to clean them.
