nesting boxes

chicken89 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:35 pm **Posts:** 18

hi i am just wondering what size nesting boxes are meant to be and what should i make them out of?? and should i have 1 for my roster they have a sleeper up top that they use but was told they will not lay where they sleep

thank you nicole

Roova · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:48 pm

Hi Chicken89,

Can you tell us a little more about your setup? Is it a chicken tractor with a small enclosed area, or do they have a shed? What size chooks do you have?

Chickens (probably any poultry) like a cozy dark place to lay their eggs. There are heaps of different things you can use for nest boxes and you'll probably find they all want the same even if you have what you think is a lovely selection! Lawmower catchers are a good choice because they are easy to move around (handle on top) and easy to clean (hose them out). My chooks favorite next box is a box on its side filled with straw. They wait in a queue even though others are empty :roll:

. Easy enough to replace...just get a new box!

The size of your chooks might determine what size nest boxes you need - if you offer a couple they'll let you know which they like.

Locations and height for the nest boxes can differ as well. All mine bar one fly onto a table inside a shed which has nestboxes on it, but one chooses a box at ground level. I also had another who liked living wild and free and would find a hidden spot under bushes wherever she could. Easter every day!

When they are young you might find they try to sleep in the nestboxes. You want to discourage this where you can because when they start laying it can mean your eggs are sitting in poo and as egg shells are quite porous this can spell bad news. You won't need a nestbox for your rooster, but depending on his nature you mind find him sitting in the nestboxes when they are laying, or starting to lay (if he fits) if he's trying to be helpful toward his girls.

We might be able to give you suggestions if you let us know how much room you have for your nestboxes.

Good luck

rainbow · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:12 pm

My girls nesting box is a lime green plastic party drinks tub that I got from a discount store. I was a bit worried at first at the colour but I thought oh well it's the same colour as the feeder and drinker, shouldn't shock them too much :lol:

. It's great being plastic as I tip the nesting stuff out and can easily wash it. I put it in their chook shed in a dark corner, they are happy with it and only lay outside of it if I am busy washing it.

chicken89 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:35 pm **Posts:** 18

i have a 2 story chicken house they have all down bottom and then 2 sides up stairs . i am getting hubby to make different place for the girls to lay there eggs. its 4 meters wide and 4meters long i have to change it in my welcome post as i have 5 but i got it wrong and they also get the whole back yard every day

and my chickens are IsaBrowns or Isa Brown x's. i only know thanks to byhookorchook

teen poultry · **Joined:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:59 pm **Posts:** 7

I used this site for my boxes and with help from my brothers and dad I made them from wood http://chickennestingboxes.blogspot.com ... boxes.html

HealthBuff · **Joined:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:14 pm **Posts:** 2

I made my own too from ply wood basically followed a similar plan as that web site but I made mine doubles with a small ramp. I would recommend you keep the front lip smaller than suggested as the chicks can't get back in the box if they fall out

chicken89 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:35 pm **Posts:** 18

thank you everyone. also if i ant my girls to have baby's is it best to have all next boxes on the floor so the baby's can get out.

Kassi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:45 am **Posts:** 3

I have 4 x 40ltr clear tubs that I can use for egg laying boxes but I am not sure if they would be suitable or not being clear and all

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

my girls are a bit 'large' so I use the Reject Shop plastic dog houses - I bolted a low piece of wood to the front of each one to keep the rice hulls and chaff in - the girls love them and they are easy to clean - just shake them out then hose them out

although I have one 'nitwit' that refuses to lay anywhere but directly UNDER the hanging feeder - :roll:

Kassi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:45 am **Posts:** 3

Is that a seconds outlet or one of those $2 shops? I love the sound of those

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