Optimum nesting box size?

[jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I have the following chickens, all about 7 1/2 weeks old.

1 Austra White
2 Golden Sex Links
2 Barred Plymouth Rocks
2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Amaraucanas
2 Amber Whites

We have built the coop, but we are getting ready to build a nesting boxes and I’m not sure how big to make them. What is the optimum size for a nesting box for these chickens?

My coop is 8‘ x 12‘ by the way.

If you need pictures, I will post them.

Jared

 

[Ted Brown]

I followed advice from various folks on BYC and made my first nest boxes 12" x 12" by 16"(H).

I recently rebuilt them to be front roll out style, 7 nest boxes in a row under my drop boards. I did the rebuild while the nests were still in everyday use; my last step was to put the dividers in place. The hens immediately started to use the new nests but decided to only use one half. I put in one divider and voila they spread themselves out AND seemed content with that arrangement. I have not added any more dividers and it has worked out very well. The hens decide how much room they need and sometimes will jam themselves in smaller widths than the 12". My sense is they prefer it this way.

The rule of thumb is 1 nest per 4 hens; build more than you need as your flock will expand.

Good luck!

 

[jnicholes]

I followed advice from various folks on BYC and made my first nest boxes 12" x 12" by 16"(H).

I recently rebuilt them to be front roll out style, 7 nest boxes in a row under my drop boards. I did the rebuild while the nests were still in everyday use; my last step was to put the dividers in place. The hens immediately started to use the new nests but decided to only use one half. I put in one divider and voila they spread themselves out AND seemed content with that arrangement. I have not added any more dividers and it has worked out very well. The hens decide how much room they need and sometimes will jam themselves in smaller widths than the 12". My sense is they prefer it this way.

The rule of thumb is 1 nest per 4 hens; build more than you need as your flock will expand.

Good luck!

Awesome, thanks so much for letting me know.

Unfortunately, my power saw is out of commission now while I was attempting to build the nesting box, so I cannot build right now. I’ll have to wait until I can get it fixed or get a new one.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Ours aren't old enough to lay yet but my friends who have chickens use 18 gallon plastic storage tubs which are 23" long, 18" wide, and 15" tall.

Those are big enough to accommodate large breeds comfortably and they're moveable and very easy to clean.

Just cut a door opening in one side and several air vents near the top with a box cutter. Staple a strip of fabric inside over the door opening for a little privacy.

They're inexpensive, quick and easy to make, and the hens LOVE them.

 

[jnicholes]

Ours aren't old enough to lay yet but my friends who have chickens use 18 gallon plastic storage tubs which are 23" long, 18" wide, and 15" tall.

Those are big enough to accommodate large breeds comfortably and they're moveable and very easy to clean.

Just cut a door opening in one side and several air vents near the top with a box cutter. Staple a strip of fabric inside over the door opening for a little privacy.

They're inexpensive, quick and easy to make, and the hens LOVE them.

Thank you so much, you just gave me a brilliant idea.