seperate nest boxes or..

[skeeter03]

do you need to have a seperator in the nest boxes or can you just make one long continuous one. so far that is what I have up but my girls are a few weeks away from laying yet.

 

[Marlinchaser]

You can do either way, however they seem to prefer a smaller box, not cramped, but small enough to let them feel safe that others wont be right next to them at thier moment of laying an egg they would like some privacy.

 

[Judy]

One of the old fashioned ways of building a nest box is a long one as you describe but with the openings on the ends instead of the long side. Evidently they like the darkness or privacy or something. They are also much less likely to eat eggs that way as they don't eat in the dark. A hinged back or top makes egg collection easy enough.

Some people have community nest boxes as you describe and the hens do fine with them. I like the idea but I guess my hens didn't; they would find a corner somewhere and lay, so I put a divider in. Even then they would often go to a smaller space to lay. I feel like I'm crowding them but they seem to prefer it. But that's just my hens, so far.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

mine have a long community nest box, with the opening in the middle. It's true they like the ends, but they pile in and get along just fine. here's a pic of mine, when one of them was broody.

you can sort of seen the light coming through the doorway. the lid hinges for egg collection and that's how I was taking the pic.

 

[Judy]

Yeah, I've seen pics of the opening in the middle. Guess I should have tried that.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here's a thread on community nesting boxes that discusses this topic. You'll see that people do it successfully both ways. I'd suggest you go with the method that is most convenient for you.

Community Nesting Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=173767

 

[skeeter03]

Thanks everyone - I think i might close it off cept for an opening on either end - and its supposed to have the lid that lifts but for some reason hubby has yet to do that part - it has a lid just not hinged lol.

 

[patandchickens]

IMO there's a lot to be said for having two openings (towards each end) or the whole front open, rather than just one central opening... prevents one hen from being able to monopolize the box by parking in front of the doorway and pecking all comers, and also greatly reduces the chances of someone getting cornered and beat up.

I have what I guess you might call a 'semi community box' in one pen, it's maybe 30" long (ish) and maybe 16" deep and high; it's where they usually prefer to lay, as opposed to the two normal individual-style nestboxes also accessible from that pen.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat