Build your own nesting box for your chicken coop
Chickens like somewhere cosy and dark to lay their eggs in their chicken coop. If you can’t get hold of one or prefer the DIY type then why not custom build your own?
You can build your own nesting box very simply by following the following instructions.
Use an orange box from the greengrocer or something similar. The box should measure about 12″ square. Take off the front and the back off the box and replace the front and back of the box with a piece of wood about 3″ high. This allows the chickens to access their nesting box easily and you can get the eggs out easily too !!
The nesting box should be positioned about 24″ off the floor and we suggest that you line the bottom of the nesting box with nesting material. Straw or wood shavings are fine and the more absorbant the litter the better. Remember to use only fresh straw and non-toxic shavings.
Make sure the nest box is always placed lower than the perches in the chicken house as chickens will always try to roost on the highest point in their house. Place the nesting box in such a position that you can easily collect the eggs when you open the door.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Am I having a senior moment? If the nesting box is 24″ off the floor of the coop, how does the hen get in and out of it? Also, many of the coops and arks I’ve seen would struggle to position a nesting box 24″ high. Could someone enlighten me before my hens arrive on 26th July! TY!
August 31st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
They always forget to tell you that you need to provide a ladder or board with ladder-like strips on it — a walkway to the nest.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
our hens can jump well over 24″ high, they’ve never had a need for any ramp or ladder. if you add a ladder they’ll use it as a roost and block the nest box anyway.
I was hoping to find an idea for how many nest boxes per 20 hens is recommended.
February 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
hi
i have a couple of boxes 8″ x 12″ and the arrivalof my hens is imminent.
Will the lay in these or must I take out the central divider?
I Have worked out that if my 12 ex battery hens lay 6 eggs a day between them that will just about cover the cost of the layer pellets and maize. Is it true that wheat is actually better than maize for chickens?
Thanks
March 5th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi
There seems to be very little difference that I can find in dietary needs whether you feed your chickens wheat or maize. People’s ideas appear to differ, but the general concensus is that maize wins 95% to 93% wheat .
Whether you remove the central divider or not, your hens should lay. They will vie for whatever space if allotted to them.
Regards
Sue
March 20th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
when u get chickens does every chicken need a nest box? if not how many nest boxes would i need for 4 or 5 chickens/hens ?
March 26th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Hi Kat
Chickens tend to share the nesting box and will take turns to get on and off or just push their way on !!
However, they do need to have some room in there and the general suggestion is about 14″ square as a rough guide.
Regards
Sue
September 7th, 2009 at 8:42 am
General rule of thumb is one nest box per 3 chickens