Do you want them to roost in the nesting boxes as well all night long? I didn’t think that was a good idea? I thought that if they slept in their nesting boxes that it promotes pooping on the eggs? I’m just repeating what I have read. I thought it was best for the chickens to have a roosting space and then a nesting box separate to do their egg laying in which they only spent a small amount of time in unless you wanted a hen to go broody and hatch out a clutch of eggs.
I would recommend lowering the nesting boxes and maybe placing some curtains in front of them for privacy and darkening effect. Also you can place the roost bars maybe on another wall of the coop? Or Higher and they can maybe be changed from branches to a few 2x4 cast offs they dont have to be perfect ones. I use two boards side by side so that they can roost beside or in front of one another and really lay flat and sleep. It lets their feet relax and not be injured that way so much.So much information!! Thank you. Definitely don't want broody hens. Or poopy eggs. My poor flock is use to me trying things and then changing. I promise them Momma will get it all worked out be patient!.
Here is a picture of the roost boards in my coop recently constructed and my nine 13!week old pullets.
Nesting boxes 2.0Those nesting boxes look kind of difficult for them to access. Do they have a way up there other than flying? You may consider putting them closer to the ground, and placing fake eggs in them to show them where to lay. Also the ones they you can see right through might not feel protected and isolated enough to the hens. They like a very enclosed space for laying. I think another roosting branch would be great!
Good luck with your flock and nesting box plans!
