Nesting boxes. How high up from the floor?

[TERRY4]

My Husband and I have been preparing the chicken coop/house little by little. We can decide how far off the floor to put the already made nesting boxes? My nephew had extras so we are getting them. They just mount on the wall.

So, how far off the floor? I have looked at several photos here, on BYC and see a roost higher, and some even have the nesting boxes a little higher with a walk board going up to them. These nesting boxes have a roost attached to the front of them. So that'll help.

Thanks for any info.

Terry

 

[nbenevento]

I have seen them as low as 12" off the ground to 36" off the ground. Some of it may depend on whether or not you will be allowing hens to hatch and brood their own chicks, I think. Mine are about 15" high and full of eggs every day!

 

[4 the Birds]

I would but them around 12" to 18" up from the floor. The roost bars should be up a little higher. Hope this helps!

 

[Doug Hodges]

I have 5 sitting on the ground and 6 hanging on the wall. They use both. The six are a couple feet to 3 feet off the ground. I dont think it really matters. When I was a kid, we had low boxes and some that were around 5' and they were all layed in.

 

[TERRY4]

Ok Thanks all! No we will not be letting hens hatch any eggs at the moment. For one thing we don't have a rooster, nor do we want one just now.So enbenevento what would the difference be?

 

[nbenevento]

If there were going to be chicks in with their momma hen, it would need to be low so that if one fell out or went to explore, it could get back in.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have my nest boxes at 24 inches above the floor for years and have successfully brooded ducks and chickens in them (standard size chickens).

I have been keeping 12 to 15 birds in this 3 level 4x8 foot print coop for years with no problems. It was being scraped by a neighbour and I renovated and rescued it. Framed the inside with 2x2 and insulated and covered the Styrofoam with veneer from interior doors I picked up as cast aways. Replaced the metal sliding doors with hinged 1/2 inch plywood doors.