Many of us love raising chickens, especially when they lay eggs. However, unless you enjoy looking for eggs all over the coop, a nesting box is a must-have for every coop owner as they make collection easy. Of course, your hen doesn’t necessarily need a nesting box in your backyard but, for many, they make a great addition to any basic chicken coop. She will lay eggs wherever she feels secure. However, nesting boxes make it much easier for you to collect eggs.
Ideally, a nesting box should be safe, quiet, dark, and private. If you place it in a public location with the door facing traffic, your chickens might refuse to use it. However, the real question is: “How big should your nesting box be?” When building a coop, you need to determine the accurate chicken nesting box dimensions and their placement.
The appropriate size and placement canencourage your hen to use the nesting box more as part of your coop plans. While it may be subjective for each coop, the general idea is as follows:
Chicken Nesting Box Dimensions
Generally, the standard size of a chicken nesting box is about 12×12 inches (about the dimensions of a standard cat litter box) and should be easy to clean and keep predators at bay. For height, the standard is about 18 inches. However, the size is subjected to changes depending on the type and breed of the chickens you have.
For instance, if you’re planning to go for a larger breed such as the Jersey Giant or the Phoenix, then only a larger nesting box will do. The dimensions should be 14×14 inches and 20 inches in depth. On the other hand, if you have smaller chickens, then you can even reduce the size.
Often, you may keep a bunch of different breeds together. In such a case, it is best to use the largest chicken in the flock to determine the size of the nesting boxes.
You may find these standard dimensions to be a little snug. However, snug is great as it allows your girls to bunk up together to lay eggs. If there happens to be a lot of room in the box, the chicken may kick out all of the bedding material.
Sharing Nesting Boxes
Few chickens often share a nesting spot. But, it’s crucial to decide how many will share the same box. Mainly, it depends on the type of flock. For some, keeping one nesting box for four to five chickens is sufficient while others may be happier with three to four chickens per nesting spot.
In fact, your hens may only prefer one nesting spot for every one to two chickens. This isn’t as rare as it sounds. Whatever the case, it’s best to let your chickens make the decision.
Placement of Nesting Boxes
The placement of nesting boxes plays a crucial role in determining whether your hens feel comfortable using the nesting box or not. Some folk prefer placing the box on the ground whereas others prefer placing them off the ground.
Ideally, the nesting boxes should be in a location that is dark, quiet, and secluded. If you place it in an area that is too busy or too public, your hen may simply not use the boxes. Placing the boxes in a corner where no one will disturb them when they’re laying is the best you can do.
You can try placing them above the ground; however, they should not be more than 18 inches above. Also, note that chickens can start sleeping in these boxes if you place them at the same height as your roosting spots.
Raised spots provide a much more private spot. Just ensure they are placed at the correct height. In addition, ensure that any roosting spots are higher than these boxes. If your chickens start roosting inside the box, there may be many dirty boxes and dirty eggs which you’ll have to clean every day.
How to Discourage Roosting Inside a Nesting Box
Nesting inside or on the nesting box can be a huge problem. If you’re building one yourself, design it in a way that it discourages any roosting.
1. On the Box
The major problem is that most boxes have a flat roof where the chickens can easily perch and rest for a couple of nights.
When they roost there, the top of the box is bound to get dirty. The best way to discourage them from roosting is to ensure that the roof is a sharp incline instead of being straight. Also, you can add a layer of a slippery material such as plastic at the top so your chickens cannot get a good grip.
2. Inside the Box
To prevent any roosting inside the box, you can try adding curtains or any form of partial closure that discourages hens. Also, do not keep too many nesting boxes for your hens.
Building Your Nesting Boxes
Now that you are aware of the accurate chicken nesting box dimensions, you can get started on making your very own.
- First, you need to choose the correct design. While you may not be a designer, various experts on the internet are. You can easily make use of their nesting box designs with a few tweaks here and there.
- The design should alsoaccommodate for you. For instance, you should be easily able to collect the eggs and clean them without any hassles. If you cannot clean these boxes easily, it might lead to an infestation of pests and parasites.
- After you’ve got the design you wanted, you should try getting all the materials and tools you need for them. This can include large pieces of wood, nails, hammer, and drills, etc. It mainly depends on the type of plan you chose.
- Next, proceed to assemble it so it resembles the design plan youchose.
- After you’re done, choose the stuffing you want inside the nesting box. This can include wood shavings, shredded paper, leaves, or sawdust.
Final Thoughts
When you’re considering nesting boxes, the size shouldn’t be the only focus area. Instead, you should focus on where to place them, how many boxes to use, and what to put in them as well. This ensures that your hens are happy and comfortable when using the chicken nesting box.
That being said, chicken nesting box dimensions are still crucial. If they’re not snug enough for your hens, it can lead to different problems. So, ensure you focus on all criteria to give your chickens the best laying spot in all the land.
