size of nest box?

[FarmKat]

Quote:
These are great!!! What did you use to cut the fronts out so the edges aren't rough?

 

[NewChickHere]

Hi. My husband and I are at the kitchen table right now discussing the nesting boxes and how high, wide etc, and our first ever chicks arrive in one week. I love your crate idea but since I have never been through this I have to ask.......are they maybe just a little bit squished in them? I am sure they have grown up with them and deal with them fine but just seeing their tails up like that made me wonder. LIke if you had to do it all over again do you think you would maybe add a couple more inches or no? Thank you. I hope my question is coming across the right way. I am not meaning anything negative sounding at all. I have some crates and maybe we will do it this way if you feel they have plenty of room and are happy. Thank you!

 

[KrisH]

Our hens seem to like the smaller boxes. we had the same concern when we built boxes smalles was 12"x12"x12" up to about 18" they ALL like the smallest box and we have accomodated them with more of the smaller boxes. now they don't all crowd into the same one.

RobertH

 

[NewChickHere]

Great thank you! That is nice to know. Someone posted to me on another thread that she has had 2 full size hens get into one 12x12x12 box together. lol. I feel better about it now. Also, I think since I am raising them from chicks, they will only know those nests and that size rather than if I bought some full size hens already use to a larger nest. Did that make sense? Thanks again.

 

[KrisH]

From what We have seen they won't bother with the nest boxes until they are ready. I would not bother to introduce them until at least 12 weeks or older. when the waddles and comb stary getting red, they will begin to poke around in the box and try it on for size. introducing too early may only encourage them to sleep in them.

RobertH

 

[NewChickHere]

I definitely agree with you on that. I have read about that and we are definitely going to block them off till it's closer to the right time so they don't think it's all one giant playground. ha. When I posted they would be growing up with them, I meant more that it will be their first nests and as they grow it will be all they know so that should help them find them home-y.
But I am totally a newbie here so my theory could be off too. lol.