Size of nesting boxes

[kwhorne]

Is there a recommended size for nesting boxes? The plans I used to build my nest boxes may have been for smaller breed chickens and I have RIR pullets. The inside measurements for the boxes are 11 1/2 inches tall, 10 1/2 inches wide, and 11 1/2 inches deep and the tops are covered. Will these boxes work? My birds are 21 weeks old and have not shown any interest in the nest boxes. None of them have started laying yet but it should be soon. I don't really want to go into the coop and rebuild the boxes. What do ya think?

 

[chickenbottom]

they should work just fine and do you have any hay or wood chips in them?

 

[obchix]

Make the padding soft so that your eggs dont get broken when they arrive!!! I use pine shavings!

 

[Judy]

That may seem a little small to you, but most of mine prefer the smaller nests; I have several sizes. And my Australorps are probably bigger than RIR's.

Have you tried some golf balls or other fake eggs in there?

They'll get around to it. They may lay somewhere else til they get it all figured out.

They aren't hiding a nest from you, are they?

 

[kwhorne]

Thanks for the replies folks. I use pine shavings in the boxes and just recently resorted to golf balls. I've been keeping watch to make sure they aren't hiding eggs from me. I'm sure they'll get with the program soon. It probably doesn't help that I've got three roos in with the 12 hens until my friend gets his coop ready and I can give him two of the roos. I'm stuck with them for another two weeks. I enjoy the forum. Keep up the good work!