Should I divide a 24"x15"x15" Nesting box into two boxes?

[Austinchicks]

I'm brand new at raising chickens and am getting overwhelmed by what I'm reading and hope someone can help. I have 4 baby chicks (Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Americauna and Brahma) and they are a week old. I built an A-frame coop with a hen box that is 24" wide, 15" deep and 15" high.

I made it a little larger than recommended, thinking that would be a good thing. Then I read that too large of a hen box would encourage hens to lay together and the can crush one another's eggs.

I have read in several places that 12"x12"x12" is the smallest hen box acceptable for 4 standard hens and if I put a divider in the middle of mine, it would make 2 - 12"x15"x15" boxes. Some people seem to suggests that this is really too small, though and my Brahma may be a little large.

I don't know if it is relevant, I live in Central Texas so heat is an issue more than the cold is. (I don't think this matters, but decided to add this just in case it does...)

Short of ripping out the existing box, here are the options I see that I have, and would love to get advice from some of you smart folks:

1. Leave at 24"x15"15"
2. Place a floor to ceiling divider, making 2-12"x15"x15" boxes
3. Place a partial divider that is about 6 " high, creating 2-12"x15"x15" boxes, but allows some overlap in the upper part of the boxes

Thank you so much!

 

[OutdoorFun4]

It is amazing the amount of advice you get here. It can drive you mad! (In a good way)

I am always tinkering.

My suggestion would be wait until you have a problem before you fix it. It sounds like a pretty neat set-up and should be fine for your four girls. If they won't use it... then try splitting it.

Good luck!

 

[andehens]

My experience with 4 16x16 next boxes is that there are 5 hens that like just one, and they fight over it and double up to lay in it, often breaking an egg. The one that they like changes weekly. In the dirt part of the coop and run, the others have made a hollowed out area, that accomodates them with out fighting. Your 24x15 might work out better than you think!! I would keep it.

eta to add: WELCOME!!

 

[wildorchid053]

mine all nest together and no broken eggs. we gather them 2 times a day.. i have read in here that when you divide the boxes they all seem to fight over one box to lay in anyways lol. seems to be a favorite box i guess

 

[Austinchicks]

Thank you all for encouraging me to leave my hen box as is. You've saved me a little stress and freed up some of my time to focus on building a run for my little chicks.

I think I'm going to like having chickens (They're so young but seem to have fun individual personalities already!)

Cheers!

 

[Mahonri]

Well there is always some one who will disagree.

I'd divide it into two.

 

[Austinchicks]

Yes, well I thought 100% agreement was a little too good to be true...I think I'll sit tight for now, since the chicks won't be ready to lay any eggs for quite a while. I'll keep thinking about this. I might create some kind of "removable divider", so I can see which way they like it better.

I don't want to mess with their habits too much, so that may not be a good idea, so I'll think it through and accept any advice/ideas that anyone may have for me.

Thanks!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I think your're doing the right thing by leaving it be and see if they like it just fine.

I would recommend using shavings in the box rather then hay or straw. The shavings seem to cushion better and the girls like to make a comfy little nest in the middle for laying.

Good luck and enjoy your little ones. It is a joy watching them grow and SO eggciting getting that first egg, and then the next and next. LOVE it.

Be sure to share lots of pics of chicks, coop and run.

 

[Austinchicks]

Thank you for the tip on wood shavings - I'll take your advice on that (You anticipated a question I had and answered it before I could ask it!)

Thanks!

 

[jwchicklady]

I put in an old book shelf with 3 shelves for a nest box and just nailed a small board in front of each shelf to keep the shavings and eggs from falling out. My 9 hens all lay eggs in the bottom shelf and do not break each others eggs. 2 hens can fit in there at one time and the others tend to just wait their turn. It works out fine.