Ratio of nesting boxes to hens?

[StarryEyzz]

I have 6 chicks in brooder. Starting to design/build their coop. How many nesting boxes do I need? I'm thinking of adding a few more since I am sure I will be adding more down the road!

Thank you.

 

[CarolJ]

For six hens, one nesting box would be sufficient. If you know you'll be getting more chickens eventually, count on a ratio of at least 4-6 hens per nesting box. I have 10 nesting boxes with only 20 hens - which is way too many because they all use the same four boxes.

 

[Tweakster]

I would suggest supplying 2 nesting boxes as a minimum, in the event one of the hens gets possessive and another needs access right away, Opinions vary a lot in this area. Here are two resources that may help you make a decision:
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1091/2902-1091_pdf.pdf
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1092/2902-1092_pdf.pdf

The first recommends:

Nest Space: Supply a minimum of four nesting boxes for flocks containing 15 hens or less.
For larger flocks provide one (1) nest for every 4 to 5 hens in the flock. This will help limit
egg breakage from normal traffic and daily egg laying. Make sure nests have a deep clean​

layer of litter to prevent breakage and help absorb waste or broken-egg material.

and the second recommends:
Nests: Always provide at least one nest for every 4-5 females in the flock.


HTH!

 

[JesseK]

I have 4 chicks and am finishing up their coop. I was thinking of doing one very private nesting box - should I rethink and have 2? Their coop will be roomy, will it stress them out if they have to lay in the far corner because the box is occupied?

 

[laughingdog52]

My hens all want to use the same nest, so I made it BIG. That seems to work for them. I used 1/2 of a plastic dog kennel set face down in the pine shavings. About 3-4 hens can use it at a time, and several use the spot behind the box. The other boxes just sit there unused.

. I get about 2 doz eggs / day.

. I was slow to finish the coop, so they just used what they had and now they don't want to change.

 

[SC-ChickMom]

My chickens won't even use the nesting boxes. They all lay in the same corner of the coop. I am thinking of just taking the boxes out.

 

[kiwiegg]

Thats funny!!! Kinda like when you buy your kids fancy birthday presents and they just want to play in the boxes!

 

[redhotchick]

If you ever are gonna let them sit on eggs,give them two boxes. I had a large box and quickly learned that when one goes broody,you dont know which eggs are new. If you are never gonna let them hatch,one large one will work. My girls all use the same box.

 

[Habibs Hens]

every time this question comes up its pretty much 1 nest box to 3 hens

but if you can get hens to nest in all boxes then i say the more the merrier

a way to get them to use boxes is to place rubber eggs in them so they can see they are boxes for nesting in

mine i have a large long one that has a dowl seperater making it 3 and the hens love it

i find eggs in either one of them

i have currently 7 hens

 

[perrypogue]

Well, I seem to have about enough nesting boxes as I have 4 and I have 9 hens laying. But the question I have is about the new dozen chicks I have on order. They will be laying about next April and I'm wondering if the older girls will allow the younger birds to use the same nesting boxes .... my guess is they will take exception to sharing.