number of mest boxes

[droopy]

i was just wondering if anyone has any experiance how using only one 14x14 nest would work with 6 comets. i know the general rule is one per 5 birds but is it worth giving up the additional floor space for another box? even with the two boxes i'd still be over 4 feet/bird but figure the extra space couldn't hurt. any thoughts?


Ty

 

[RonB]

droopy
I think you might be pushing it a bit. If it doesn't cost too much or take up too much space, I would add one more. I have 5 boxes all in a row for 9 hens. I know I don't need that many but when I built my coop. it was just easier for me to do it that way. I never know which boxes they are going to use LOL sometimes 1 or 2 eggs in each box other times 7 in one and 2 in another

 

[Kittymomma]

I think you're more likely to end up with broken eggs and possibly egg eating hens because of it if they're all trying to use one box. Can you stack a couple boxes so you don't lose the floor space?

 

[droopy]

ok i will make two boxes. it was not so much about saving money as i didn't know if the benifit of added space would outweigh the con of only having one box. thanks to all for answering my question so quickly and i will for sure give the girls two nesting boxes, not much difference between 28"inches lost space and 14. thanks again

Ty

 

[teach1rusl]

Is your coop tall enough to elevate the nest boxes about 18 inches so that you lose no floor space????

 

[droopy]

no unfortunately due to my unemployment i had to make this coop as cheaply as i coule so its a 4x8 sheet for floor, walls, and roof. with the vents and roost chewing up a good bit of the 4 foot hieght the boxes need to be on the floor

Ty