nesting boxes

[Gonzo]

I'm gonna have close to 25 chicks when it's all said and done... don't know how many hens I'll have. How many nesting boxes should I put up, and do I need them in the coop now? My oldest is 4 wks old.

 

[arlee453]

General guidlines is one box for every 4-5 hens or so. I have 5 boxes for my 20 hens and of course they all lay in the same 3 and ignore the other two...

 

[Gonzo]

ok. that help! thanks

 

[Judy]

Mine are 13 weeks and there are no nest boxes in the coop yet. They will go in in about a month, closer to point of lay. I don't want them to sleep in them and start a bad habit.

 

[Gonzo]

Quote:
Very Good Point! will do!

 

[chickens3]

i would make like 15 nesting boxs.

 

[raisingchickens]

I agree with arlee453. Half a dozen should be plenty, and your chickens will probably pick a few favorites and ignore the rest.

 

[Sissy]

they sure will pick their favorites LoL

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
Holy cow...I hope you're joking.

My 100sqft(+/-) coop should be good for about 25 birds, and I studded out space for eight 12"x12" nestboxes. Everything I've read recommends one box for about every four birds, so I was thinking my eight boxes would be sufficient for more birds (32) than the coop could handle..

Anybody?

 

[Wynette]

You can put the nest boxes in now, but just close access to them (I simply put empty feed sacks, all balled up, into the nest boxes until POL).