Nesting Boxes...

[CountryCentinel]

How many nesting boxes are recommended per number of chickens?

We have 24 girls, and I am about to finish their new dig's.

Thanks!

 

[ZombieChickens]

I have 8 girls laying and they all wait patiently for their turn with ONE out of 3 nesting boxes.....

 

[ZombieChickens]

I've heard 1 box for every 4 chickens.....I vote 1 box for every 8.

 

[SueBaby]

1 nesting box for every 4-5 hens is what I've heard.

 

[CountryCentinel]

Okay, so 6 boxes should work for us...

Now as for size, is 12X12 about the right size?

Thx again... ;-)

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The 12 x 12 will work, but for the larger breeds you will wish it was a little larger. Especially when they go broody. I like to keep the nest boxes closer to the ground than most. The bottom ones are just up on one brick, so the chicks can go in and out easily. I do separate my hens and chicks until the chicks are old enough to follow her everywhere and be very agile.

It is worrisome when the hen takes up the whole space and yet she has all these chicks stuffed under her. I worry someone's going to suffocate back there. That's probably not ever going to happen, but it made me cringe.

The very most popular nest box I have is the covered kitty litter box one. They waited in line to use it.

Oh and one box per 5 hens is often quoted here on BYC, but in reality they all like to use about one per 8. It is important to have enough, however, as sometimes you have broodies.

 

[CountryCentinel]

10-4, thx!