What nest boxes should I use?

[NightFury06]

Hey everyone!
For the new coop (shed) we are getting, there are no meat boxes. Should we install plastic ones or wooden ones? We need to install 2 as there will be 5 or 6 chickens.
Also, should we put them 1 foot up, or higher with a ramp? All chickens are bantams, so not very heavy.
Thank you!​

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. It's really whatever your preference is. I had plastic boxes attached to a wall, but with our heat I felt like my hens were suffering too much so we built wood ones that are much more open. You can just leave them on the ground or you can hang them, just be sure the roost is higher than the nest boxes.

 

[Phoenixxx]

Mine are all wood, and most are open shelves with a board across the front to keep the hay in. As for height, chickens like higher. The exception would be flightless birds like silkies, or really heavy birds that don't fly very well; they like nests either on the ground or not very high off of it. Mine range from just a few inches off the ground to as high as 6.5'.