Question about nest boxes...

[Matilda Belle]

I have a very small coop (4x6) that has maybe 7-8 nest boxes in it. The amish who built the coop said I could house up to 15 chickens in this house, but obviously that isn't ideal so I'm limiting myself to 6 (bantam) chickens. My question is....if you were me, would you remove some of those nest boxes to make more space for the chickens? How many nest boxes do you think I need for 6 hens?

 

[Smiling Angel]

I'm not an expert, for sure, but that seems like way too many. For only 6 hens, I would say you only need two nesting boxes. We have twelve hens currently, and they only seem to use two out of the three nesting boxes we have set up. Good luck!

 

[Matilda Belle]

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. I think I will remove those boxes then. They are just taking up space.

 

[sirrobyn0]

Chickens will definitely share nesting boxes, so for 6 hens you definitely have more than you need. If you do remove a few I'd try to keep them intact only because I'm the kind of guy that might purpose them into something else. Also keep in mind that if you ever decide to expand your flock and add on to the coop you may need those nesting boxes, which by the way is the situation I'm in. My flock has expanded, I'm added on to the run and converted and connected another building for roosting space but there is no where for me to add nesting boxes, at least not without a ton of extra work. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Chickens will definitely share nesting boxes, so for 6 hens you definitely have more than you need. If you do remove a few I'd try to keep them intact only because I'm the kind of guy that might purpose them into something else. Also keep in mind that if you ever decide to expand your flock and add on to the coop you may need those nesting boxes, which by the way is the situation I'm in. My flock has expanded, I'm added on to the run and converted and connected another building for roosting space but there is no where for me to add nesting boxes, at least not without a ton of extra work. Just something to keep in mind.

Great idea. Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

2 boxes should be plenty, 3 if you want to overdo it. If possible I would remove partitions from the other boxes to open up more space.