Permanent Coop - Nesting Boxes?

[Madie'sOddFlock]

Right now I have one of those really crappy about $130 coops(that I got used for $50), it was cheap, it was there, and I needed to get my 11 chicks outside. I always knew they were going to grow out of it, I just needed time to get coop plans done, and then to finish the coop. Well, those 11 are now almost 12 weeks old, and they're growing out of their 2 nesting boxes way too fast. It's time to start building.
I really don't want to put in nesting boxes, I'd rather leave them on the floor which will be completely finished with rubber mats and covered with shavings. My parents are arguing with me about it, saying that it's really my decision but then tell

 

[Izzychicky]

Laying hens need nesting boxes so they have a place that they feel safe to lay their eggs.

 

[Percheron chick]

12 week olds should not be using nesting boxes. They are for laying only. Restrict their access until they are close to laying.
2 boxes should be adequate for 11 pullets.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

12 week olds should not be using nesting boxes. They are for laying only. Restrict their access until they are close to laying.
2 boxes should be adequate for 11 pullets.

I should have noted that I have 10 pullets and 1 cockerel, and they use the nesting boxes to sleep in as all of my family's chickens have for years.

 

[True Patriot]

As Percheron noted, nesting boxes are for laying eggs, that's it. Your coop needs to have roosting bars where they can sleep. If they're sleeping in the boxes block the access until they start laying.

 

[Percheron chick]

Laying hens need nesting boxes so they have a place that they feel safe to lay their eggs.

.and nesting boxes help keep the eggs clean and from being broken.

 

[Silkie2]

I agree with the above comments. Nesting boxes for eggs, and Roosts for sleep. otherwise you'll end up with cracked eggs all over the floor. Remember, when it comes to animals DON'T take shortcuts. Do whats best for the chickens.

 

[bruceha2000]

Sounds like you don't have the new coop built yet? You are in the Coop and Run thread, be sure to get the basics of proper coop size and security down before you start.

As previously noted, the chickens should be sleeping up on roosts by now unless they are Silkies (? could be I have the breed wrong) which I have read just don't sleep on roosts. Chickens feel safer the higher they can get so make sure the REQUIRED nesting boxes are lower than the roosts or they will sleep in them anyway. Who needs nest boxes full of poop?

 

[Silkie2]

Sounds like you don't have the new coop built yet? You are in the Coop and Run thread, be sure to get the basics of proper coop size and security down before you start.

As previously noted, the chickens should be sleeping up on roosts by now unless they are Silkies (? could be I have the breed wrong) which I have read just don't sleep on roosts. Chickens feel safer the higher they can get so make sure the REQUIRED nesting boxes are lower than the roosts or they will sleep in them anyway. Who needs nest boxes full of poop?

Silkies and frizzles can't fly very good so they need lower roosts. but some still like to roost (including some of my own. they hop on the lowest one and hop to the next one higher up till they make it to the top lol)

 

[bruceha2000]

Perfect breeds for a ladder roost!