What should I do with my roosting bars and nest boxes?

[quarterhorsemom]

Hi friends! I’m getting chickens soon and working on reconfiguring my coop. My husband made me some amazing nest boxes to replace the ones that were there when we bought our house. However, now I’m reading that the roosting bars are supposed to go above the nest boxes? Any particular reason for this? The roosting bars that are currently in the coop are lower down. Should my roosting bars be higher up, or my nest box lower down to the coop floor? Any ideas? The bottom of the nest box is currently 18” off the ground.

 

[Mamatomany123]

The reason you want the roosting bar higher than the nesting box is because chickens like being high up. If the nesting box is higher than the roosting bar then they will start roosting in those. Which may mean they wont lay in them. I personally would lower the nesting box and raise the roosting bar. I'd also put another roosting bar a tad lower than the first to give them options.

 

[aart]

Any particular reason for this?

So they don't sleep in nests and poop in them.

Should my roosting bars be higher up, or my nest box lower down to the coop floor?

Both.

Nice sized space there.
You've had birds in there before?

Welcome to BYC! @quarterhorsemom
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[quarterhorsemom]

So they don't sleep in nests and poop in them.

Both.

Nice sized space there.
You've had birds in there before?

Welcome to BYC! @quarterhorsemom
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2080275

Thanks for the reply! The previous owners of the house & coop had chickens (and turkeys!). I’ve never had chickens so this is all new to me!