Roosts and nesting boxes questions.

[jokerhorse]

I am in the middle of building my coop. The coop is 4ft x8ft x4ft with a slanted roof. I am wondering where would be the best place to put the nesting boxes. I currently have 4 hens and one rooster. Do each of the hens need their own boxes? I was thinking of putting the 2 feet off the floor to help discourage pooing in the boxes, but I am sill unsure. I was thinking of making the boxes 15 inchices squared, is that too big, too small? Also, how high should I put the roosts?

thanks for all the help!

 

[teach1rusl]

Elevating the nesting boxes is a good idea, as it frees up floor space. But placing the roost higher than the nest box perch will be what keeps them from pooing in the nest box. What that height is is up to you, although you're somewhat limited by the height of your coop.
Although you could probably get by with one nest box, I'd opt for two. You never know when a hen might go broody. The size you mentioned should be just fine.

 

[jokerhorse]

Quote:
I came up with another question. Would I need to put walkways up to the roosts and boxes if I put them that high?
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still a little unsure, but I've got until friday to think about it.

 

[Bi0s]

make a ladder up to the roosts they seem to like the ladders

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

As long as they have space to flap and run to jump up you don't need ramps. Mine are deeply offended by ramps to the nest boxes, actually. (I built a removable one when my hen went broody in one of the 'upstairs' boxes and I didn't want the babies to fall. Yes, there were siderails too.) I would say as long as there is about 2' of space in front, they can easily jump 2'. Mine have 3' of floor to jump to 4' roosts and they do fine.
And 15" sounds like a great size for nest boxes. Mine are a tad cozy at 12", but i can't complain. My dad built the nest boxes for me and I just told him what I was told- 12 to 18" in every direction for standards.

 

[homesteadinmama]

hey there. my coop is very similar to yours. I put the nest boxes (I made 4) attached on the outside of the southside wall which is the tallest. I put them just 4 inches off the floor of the coop. However I put the coop 2 ft off the ground. Also I put the roosts (3 @ 4ft long) on the west side in a ladder style. I put a door under the roosts that runs the width of the coop so I can easily clean under the roosts. Also put the window above the nest boxes for light, that way the light goes opposite of the nest boxes for optimum darkness in the nest boxes. Hope that helps alittle.