Questions on Nest Boxes and Roosts

[Mak]

Now that we are in the process of designing the coop, I have a couple questions:

How many nest boxes will I need for 10 hens? What size should they be?

And the roosts- I've seen 2x4s recommended for roosts for heavy birds and 2x2 for bantams. I'm going to have 2 bantams in my mix. Do we need to plan the narrower roost for them, or will they use the wider ones?

Thanks for any help you can give a "newbie"!

 

[chuckzoo]

2 Nest boxes. You could have a communiual nest box i.e. one large one rather than two smaller ones.

I don't know what size roost the bantams need, but a rule of thumb is that the chickens should be able to grab on to it without their toes touching each other on the other side, if you know what I mean. They should also be able to cover their feet with their feathers in cold weather.

 

[Junkmanme]

I have 2 nest boxes and have not added any since I went from 4 hens to 14 hens. Then hens don't seem to mind. But, I'm going to build more coops this Spring. I would think that 1 nest box for each 4 or 5 hens should be OK.

My nest boxes are approximately 12 x 12 x 18 long (inches)....probably bigger than most. I line them with hay.

I use 2x2 roosts and I think that they work well. The chickens can get a good hold on them...better, I think, than 2x4s.

I'm planning to design or find a good design for "trap-nests" to use with my new coops.

-just my 2 pesos worth-

-Junkmanme-

 

[teach1rusl]

I have 2x4s and 2x2 1/2s (cut down a 2x4) in my coop. My standard girls use them about equally. So you could offer variety, although the bantams would do fine with a 2 x 4. I'm a big fan of dropping boards too (not that you asked), so if you haven't considered them so far, you really should. Saves floor space and makes cleaning quick and easy.

If you're tight on space, many go with 12 x 12 boxes for nests. Mine are about 16 x 16; I like plenty of turn-around room. I'd go with 3 boxes (I have 2 for my five girls...and the four on similar schedules are waiting to lay sometimes, or squeezing in behind someone else). If you do the elevated nest boxes, you save your floor space.

 

[Mak]

Thanks, everyone! Very helpful. Since we are still in the designing stage, these details are good to know so we can do it right the first time.