What size are your nest boxes?

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

What size nest boxes are best for standard size chickens? A friend made four nest boxes for me, 16"x16". They look wonderful but also huge!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

They just need to be large enough for the birds to turn around in

 

[RonB]

better too big than too small. mine are 14"W x12"D x 14"H

 

[blacktailsmom]

Anyone have photos?

 

[Marbleheader]

I have some pics on my blog. Better big then small is right -- especially because I sometimes get two or three girls trying to crowd into one next box at once.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Our nest boxes are 14" x 17". They are a little deep but the hens seem to love huddling in the back. The hens probably don't need that much space, but hey, I love my "king-sized" bed to stretch out in so why shouldn't they enjoy a spacious nest? I too have seen two hens in a box at one time, even when the other nest is not occupied.
As soon as the sun comes, up you can see my nest boxes at the website below.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
On the contrary a large nest box might encourage egg eating according to what I've read. I thought 12" was to narrow. Mine are 13wx13dx14h (maybe higher) and they seem fine. Everyone has their own ideas and it's what works for you. IMHO.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

mine are 11" x 11" x 11" and I still get two bantam sitting together. The last next which was really a storage box is only 10" x10" x11" and I usually have more eggs in that box than any other. It's all about real estate "location, location, location". lol

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Quote:
On the contrary a large nest box might encourage egg eating according to what I've read.

I've read the same thing. I now have two sets of nest boxes and don't know which to use. One set is 12x12x12 and the other is 16x16x16. Decisions, decisions

 

[aussieheelr]

I'd go with the 12'12'12' set