Chicken coop nesting boxes are an extremely important part of raising chickens. They serve several purposes which are outlined below.
While there many types of chicken coops, make sure any chicken house plans you are considering includes this feature.
For the benefit of the chickens…
Nesting boxes are intended to be dark, shady, comfortable places for the chickens to relax. The rule of thumb is about one nesting box for every 3-5 birds. When a chicken is ready to lay an egg, it searches for a calming, private place to complete the process. A nesting box serves that purpose and provides them a safe area to lay their eggs.
For the benefit of the human…
Nesting boxes are also extremely important for egg organization. Without nesting boxes, the chickens would be laying eggs all over the coop and they would be quite difficult for the owner to find them. You also would not know the freshness of each egg and how long it had been since it was laid. With nesting boxes, you have a very organized system and can go in order from one box to the next, to make sure you’ve collected all of the eggs and are aware of when they arrived.
Creating Nesting Boxes…
It is important to make them large enough that they are able to be easily cleaned by you, but small enough for the chickens to feel cozy. This is usually about 12 inches.
Also, you must be sure when building them to make them study enough to hold a few chickens, in case several go into one box. You can make the nesting boxes from metal or plywood, and they should be open in the front to allow the chicken to enter. There should also be a slight incline at the front of the box to keep the eggs from rolling out.
The chickens need soft straw or pine shavings in their nesting boxes to make them comfortable. This bedding should be changed frequently, but the chickens do not like to go to the bathroom in the boxes, so they are typically kept fairly clean.
Most people who raise chickens prefer for their nesting boxes to be elevated in the coop, and people typically stack them in two rows on top of each other. They can also be on the floor of the coop if you prefer. You should keep all of the nesting boxes on one side of the coop, for organizational purposes. The chickens will then have one specified area to roam, and one area for the egg laying purposes. The chickens will get used to using one spot to lay eggs, which make it easier for the owner to collect. While adequate chicken coop ventilation is important, make sure nesting boxes are away from drafts.
Overall, chicken coop nesting boxes are a necessary part of raising chickens. Although there are various styles and designs, the purpose is always the same. To organize the coop for the purpose of collecting the eggs, and to make the chickens feel safe and like they have a comfortable place to lay their eggs. Chicken coop nesting boxes are a simple way to accomplish both goals.