Size of nesting box

[ssalstro]

Hi, I am a complete beginner. Getting my hens on Monday. I live in Japan and don't know the english name for this type of chicken, but it is reddish brown and not so big. I will be getting four hens. How big should the nesting box be in relation to an individual hen? Also, how many nesting boxes should I make for four hens??? Thanks for your help, I'll post pics when I get the girls.

 

[DancingHen]

Welcome to the forum!

A good rule of thumb is one nest box for every three to four hens. I think for four hens I would provide 2 nest boxes. My nest boxes are 18 inches wide by 18 inches high by 18 inches deep, but I have some very large breeds. And my girls like to all get in the nests together. For a smaller size hen I would think 12 inches in all directions would work good.

 

[BANTAMWYANDOTTE]

Quote:
Very Good Advice!

I have six Red Sex-Link hens and provided four nests and only two are layed in. I thought that I was helping when really I learned that two or three hens share a nest because they see an egg there. This says to them, if it's safe for one egg then it's safe for mine.

One piece of advice though, make sure the nest has dry bedding in it and is in a place that is dry and draft-free. A hen prefers to lay her eggs in a dry, dark place, so I would consider putting tops on them.....My hens weren't laying until I made there nests into boxes and cut a hole in the front. Then my their egg production went from two eggs a day to six eggs a day!

Good Luck!

As Always...Happy to Help!

Timothy from KY

 

[WatWasIThinking!!!]

from Illinois Have fun!!

 

[ssalstro]

Thanks for the advice!!! I am on it, I will make two nest boxes for my four hens and see how that goes. Will be posting next week.

 

[KansasBoy]