size for laying boxes?

[Littlecimarron18]

I dont know how large each box needs to be. my old boxes just arent cutting it... my girls are just starting to lay and theyturn and turn and knock out all the straw. any ideas?

 

[mdbucks]

I think the book says 12x12 for standard(REAL) chickens. Mine are varied soome 11x12 some 11x20, and they seem to prefer the smaller boxes, I guess they feel safer in close quarters. I have seen 3 trying to get in same box, so I would guess they like cramped quarters.

 

[Littlecimarron18]

Thank you = )

 

[LoneCowboy]

Depends on the breed. If you have heavy breeds, like orpingtons, Australops etc, you need 14 x 14 Reg breeds, like leghorns, sexlinks etc 12 x 12 is fine.

 

[Pidgey104]

I've found out that you can use milk crates for nest boxs they work great.

 

[kyfarmer]

milk crates is the best to use

 

[muddler6]

I have bantam cochins and I am still proud of my cat litter nest bucket. click on the blue link below and check it out if you want. I have found two at a time in there on a couple occassions, although I moved things around in the coop and now they go for the 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 inch ones I built out of some scrap 1x12's I had in the shop.

 

[Littlecimarron18]

the setup i am going for is wall hanging boxes, with the space i have i can have an even # of boxes if they are 15x15 with a front of 4-5 inches. curently they have 5 11 1/2 boxes and one box with no dividers(doesnt seem to work) do u think the new boxes will be too big?

 

[Dawn419]

Too big is much better than too small.

Our nest boxes are about 12" x 18" for our Banties, which is big for them. At the same time, I often catch two of the Easter Egger girls using the same box with no problem.

Hope this helps!

Dawn

 

[KingsCalls]

A box 12"x12" is a good size. That's what most of mine are.